Diplomatic relations between the Republic of Tajikistan and the State of Qatar were established on December 13, 1994.
Since then, bilateral cooperation has been dynamically developing and strengthening between the countries, which is carried out in the spirit of brotherhood and mutual understanding, mutual respect and partnership in a whole range of areas of mutual interest.
Today, bilateral relations between the Republic of Tajikistan and the State of Qatar are trending towards sustainable development. This is also facilitated by regular Tajik-Qatari contacts at the highest levels.
On January 21 of this year, the Founder of Peace and National Unity – Leader of the Nation, President of the Republic of Tajikistan, Honorable Emomali Rahmon, took a state visit to the State of Qatar.
As part of this visit, a meeting was held between the heads of state of the Leader of the Nation, Honorable Emomali Rahmon, and His Highness the Emir of the State of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Oli Soni, and further negotiations continued with the participation of official delegations of the states, where a wide range of issues of cooperation between the two states were discussed.
During the meeting, it was emphasized that “through joint efforts it will be possible to achieve greater development of cooperation in all areas of mutual interest.”
During the period of establishing interstate relations, a strong contractual and legal basis for cooperation was created with the aim of expanding and strengthening long-term ties between the two friendly countries. Taken together, the total number of intergovernmental and interdepartmental documents regulating various areas of interaction between Tajikistan and Qatar amounts to several dozen. All modern mechanisms for interaction and cooperation have also been formed to meet the interests of friendly states. The Joint Tajik-Qatari Intergovernmental Commission on Trade, Economic, Scientific and Technical Cooperation and the Business Forum of Interested Entrepreneurs of the Parties are functioning.
During the state visit, the Leader of the Nation, Honorable Emomali Rahmon, speaking at the Forum of Entrepreneurs of Tajikistan and Qatar, noted that “the purpose of today’s meeting is to better present the real opportunities for trade, economic and investment cooperation between the two fraternal countries. He also spoke about the current economic state of Tajikistan and certain promising areas of cooperation, as well as ways to further develop strategic sectors of the country’s economy. At the same time, the priority sectors were identified as energy, industry, transport, agriculture, finance, banking and tourism.”
It was also emphasized that “attracting investments in various spheres of the economy and business development was named one of the priority areas of the economic policy of the Government of the Republic of Tajikistan.”
Interstate relations between Tajikistan and Qatar have successfully passed the test of time and, today, are certainly on the rise. The current visit of a high-ranking Tajik delegation led by the Leader of the Nation, Honorable Emomali Rahmon, to the State of Qatar is a logical continuation of the constant interstate dialogue between the two friendly countries and to a certain extent strengthens these important interstate ties.
After the completion of high-level negotiations between Tajikistan and Qatar in the presence of the heads of state, the following nine new documents were signed on further fruitful cooperation:
– Memorandum of Understanding on cooperation in the field of management of emergency situations and natural disasters between the Emergency Situations and Civil Defense Committee under the Government of the Republic of Tajikistan and the Civil Defense Directorate of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the State of Qatar;
– The First Program of Action in the field of higher education and scientific research according to the Agreement on cooperation in the field of education, higher education and scientific research for the academic years 2024/2025-2025/2026-2026/2027;
– Cooperation Program between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Tajikistan and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the State of Qatar for 2024-2026;
– Memorandum of Understanding on cooperation in the field of museum development between the State Institution “National Museum” of the Executive Office of the President of the Republic of Tajikistan and the Museums Administration of the State of Qatar;
– Joint Statement on the development of cultural cooperation between the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Tajikistan and the Ministry of Culture of the State of Qatar;
– Memorandum of Understanding between the Department of Financial Monitoring under the National Bank of Tajikistan and the Financial Unit of Qatar on cooperation in the field of sharing financial intelligence information on crimes related to the legalization (officialization) of funds and financing of terrorism;
– Agreement between the Government of the Republic of Tajikistan and the Government of the State of Qatar on avoidance of double taxation and prevention of tax evasion on income and capital;
– Memorandum of Understanding on cooperation in the field of charitable and humanitarian activities between the Ministry of Economic Development and Trade of the Republic of Tajikistan and the Regulatory Body of Charitable Activities in the State of Qatar;
– Memorandum of Understanding between the Ministry of Economic Development and Trade of the Republic of Tajikistan and the Authority of Free Zones of Qatar.
In general, relations with countries such as Qatar are a priority of the foreign policy of the Republic of Tajikistan. During independence, the State of Qatar has repeatedly invested in various sectors of the economy of Tajikistan, but still the potential that both sides have, has not been fully exploited. Today it is possible to actively attract Qatari investors in the fields of energy, tourism and transport. In particular, Qatar’s experience in the field of tourism is rich, and together with this state we need to develop the tourism infrastructure of Tajikistan. Another promising area between Tajikistan and Qatar is cooperation on migration issues. As you know, millions of migrants from all over the world work in Qatar and in order to diversify the migration sector, sending highly qualified labor to this country will be for the benefit of both states.
We are confident that with the wise policies of the top leadership of the two countries, cooperation in various sectors will develop, since the foundation for expanding cooperation has been laid.
Sharipov Amriddin Nuridinovich, candidate of historical sciences, Head of the Department of International Relations TNU.
Faizulloev Komron sultonovich, assistant of the Department of International Relations TNU
