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KABUL: President Ashraf Ghani on Tuesday arrived in Tajikistan on a two-day visit to participate in the inaugural ceremony for a multibillion four-nation gas pipeline project.
The Presidential Palace in Kabul said Ghani, leading a high-level delegation, left Kabul in the morning for Dushanbe at the invitation of Tajikistan President Emomali Rahmon.
During the two-day trip, Ghani will meet his Tajik counterpart, prime minister, parliament speaker and other senior officials on bilateral relations and cooperation in different fields.
A statement from the Palace said the president would also address students and teachers of the Tajikistan National University.
Foreign Minister Salahuddin Rabbani, Water and Energy Minister Ali Ahmad Usmani, Attorney General Farid Hamidi and other officials are accompanying the president.
Rahmon and Ghani will discuss on Tuesday the joint war on terrorism and drug trafficking, a source in the Tajik president’s press service was quoted as saying.
“In the morning of May 10, Ghani will meet Rahmon to discuss the joint fight against terrorism, extremism and drug trafficking, as well as regional cooperation,” RIA Novosti reported.
Afghanistan produces up to 90 percent of the world‘s illicit opiates, according to UN estimates. Tajikistan’s location makes it a primary trafficking route from Afghanistan to Russia and Europe. -Pajhwok
THE PASHTUN TIMES
