Tajikistan Weekly

Tajikistan has just entered the 4th decade of its independence and yet, the landlocked Central Asian country maintains its economy mainly through migrant-worker remittances from Russia, which constitute 40% of its GDP, and loans from China, to whom it owes over $1.1 billion.

Despite its geo-strategic importance, Tajikistan is rarely discussed in the mainstream media, and its significant position in the development of the BRI as a whole often goes neglected. The aim of the "Tajikistan Weekly" project is to bring to light the local, regional and cross-regional events affecting the Central Asian country, and to call attention to the latest developments in this severely in-debted yet highly strategic Belt and Road partner state.

Rahmon Criticizes Russia’s Central Asian Policy; Leaders of Tajikistan & Uzbekistan hold talks in Astana; Rahmon proposes a "Preventive Economy" project; Tajik Foreign Minister meets the UN Assistant Secretary General. /17.10.22

_{Image source: Sputnik}

This past week, Tajik President Emomali Rahmon personally appealed to Russian President Vladimir Putin not to treat Central Asian countries as the former Soviet Union, and also met with Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev to discuss a wide range of bilateral cooperation issues; Rahmon proposed for Central Asia and Russia to create a "preventive economy" project to join forces during the global crisis, and the Tajik Foreign Minister Discussed Rule of Law Issues in Department of Peacekeeping Operations with UN Secretary-General.

: 17 October 2022

Rahmon celebrates his 70th birthday, Putin awards him with the Order "For Merit to the Motherland" III degree; Chinese leader wishes to bring Tajik-Chinese relations to a new stage; PRC revises its approach to the BRI. /10.10.22

_{Image source: Asia Plus}

This past week, Emomali Rahmon, president of the Republic of Tajikistan, celebrated his 70th birthday and was awarded the "Order of Merit for the Motherland", III degree, by Vladimir Putin, the Chinese leader expressed the value of his close personal friendship with Emomali Rahmon, and the PRC was reported to be reconsidering its approach to one of its most ambitious and expensive projects, the Belt and Road Initiative.

: 10 October 2022

Rahmon dismisses top officials; Kyrgyzstan & Tajikistan negotiate a 61% border division & demilitarization; Tajikistan in Asian Futsal quarter-finals for the first time in 15 years /3.10.22

_{Image source: Sputnik Tajikistan}

This past week, President Emomali Rahmon signed government decrees to replace a number of government officials, Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan agreed and drafted the description of about 602 km of joint border, while the residents of border villages are dissatisfied with the agreements reached, and the Tajik futsal players became the third Futsal Asian Cup team to reach the quarterfinals.

: 03 October 2022

30 years of Sino-Tajik diplomatic relations; China gears up to replace Russia in Central Asia; Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan signed a protocol to end the border conflict. /25.09.22

_{Image source: BRI Forum}

This past week, Tajikistan and China discussed the outcome of the 30th anniversary of diplomatic relations, outlining a plan for further cooperation; The Chinese president took the upper hand at the SCO summit as Central Asian countries move closer to China and further away from Russia; The heads of the State National Security Committee, Saimumin Yatimov and Kamchybek Tashiev, signed another protocol to end the border conflict between Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan.

: 25 September 2022

Tajikistan observes 31 years of independence; Emomali Rahmon meets Xi Jinping at SCO summit; Talks between Rahmon & Japarov amid new conflict on the Tajik-Kyrgyz border. /18.09.22

_{Image source: Ozodi.org}

This past week, Tajikistan entered its fourth decade of sovereignty while significantly changing its policy vector; Tajik President Emomali Rahmon met with his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping while attending the SCO summit in Samarkand where they agreed on boosting cooperation and discussed issues of mutual interest; and the Tajik president also held talks with Kyrgyz President Sadyr Japarov amid turmoil on the two countries' border.

: 18 September 2022

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