Tajik president calls for closer relations with CIS states.

DUSHANBE, April 25 (Itar-Tass) -- President of Tajikistan Emomali
Rakhmon on Saturday said his country's foreign policy priorities included
closer relations with CIS countries, and with Russia in particular.
"In the post-Soviet space, we are a member of the CIS, EurAsEC
(Eurasian Economic Community), and CSTO (Collective Security Treaty
Organization), and we are set to strengthen and broaden our contribution
to cooperation with these organizations and countries, primarily with the
Russian Federation, which is our strategic partner," Rakhmon said in his
annual message to the national parliament.
He also said Tajikistan was interested in closer ties with the
Shanghai Cooperation Organizations. "Joint efforts towards more security,
wide political, economic and cultural ties and cooperation for the
improvement of our everyday life are one of the basic goals of this
organization, and naturally, Tajikistan is interested in more active
participation in its activity and in strengthening ties with its member
states," Rakhmon stressed.
The Tajik president tackled the situation in Afghanistan and urged for
more active assistance of the world community in the post-conflict
recovery, and more active efforts against drug production and trafficking.
"On our part, our state is ready to make available all its possibilities,
and I think Tajikistan's experience in restoring peace and reaching
national reconciliation will be of great help," he said.