Ghani calls for re-opening Tajikistan consulates in Afghanistan

Months after Tajikistan closed its consulates in Kunduz and Badakhshan province citing security issues, Afghanistan has asked Dushanbe to re-open the consulates in the country.

President Ashraf Ghani met Tajikistan's Prime Minister Kokhir Rasulzoda yesterday and conveyed that Afghan security forces would provide security for their consulates, Tolo News quoted a statement issued by the President's office as saying.

President Ghani, who is presently on a two-day official trip here, also discussed the issue of visas for Afghan businessmen and the residents of Badakhshan province.

Ghani also discussed issues faced by the Afghans living in Tajikistan, including reports of problems with police, the statement said.

He also asked Rasulzoda for the handover of Afghan prisoners, who are reportedly ill.

Meanwhile, Rasulzoda said that Ghani's trip to the country was important in terms of improving relations between the two countries.

He assured Ghani that Tajikistan would continue to support Afghanistan and help solve issues of Afghans living in his country.

Prior to this, Ghani held meetings with Tajikistan officials and signed several agreements and MoUs on economic and regional cooperation.

The Afghan President yesterday described terrorism as the common threat for regional players and stressed the need for regional cooperation in the fight against this phenomenon.