TAJIKISTAN PRESIDENT MAKES FIVE-DAY VISIT TO SINGAPORE

SINGAPORE, March 29 (Bernama) -- Tajikistan President Emomali Rahmon will
make a five-day state visit to Singapore from Tuesday at the invitation of
President S R Nathan.

This will be the first state visit from Tajikistan and coincides with the
15th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two
countries, according to the Singapore Foreign Affairs Ministry Monday.

In a statement, the ministry said Rahmon would be accompanied by Foreign
Affairs Minister Hamrokhon Zarifi, State Advisor to the President on Foreign
Policy Rakhmatullaev Erkin, Economic Development and Trade Minister Hamraliev
Farrukh, National Bank Chairman Rahimzoda Sharif, senior officials and a
business delegation.

Rahmon will call on and be hosted to a state banquet by Nathan, and will
meet with Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, Foreign Affairs Minister George Yeo
and Information, Communications and the Arts Acting Minister Lui Tuck Yew.

Rahmon will also deliver a keynote address at the inaugural
Tajikistan-Singapore Business Forum and Networking Session and visit the NEWater
Visitor Centre.


The president and Lee will sign a Joint Statement affirming the common
understanding reached by both countries on bilateral cooperation.

The foreign ministers of the two countries will also sign a Memorandum of
Understanding on Bilateral Consultations.

-– BERNAMA