MINSK, 5 August (BelTA) – Tajikistan’s Deputy Prime Minister Matlubakhon Sattoriyon said that she was impressed by Belarusian hospitality as she met with Belarusian Deputy Prime Minister Igor Petrishenko in Minsk on 5 August, BelTA has learned.
The officials held a meeting at the Belarusian State University of Physical Education which is hosting the organizing committee and the media center for the 2nd CIS Games. The distinguished guest from Tajikistan was given a tour of the university and briefed on the university’s capabilities. She was also demonstrated the work of the organizing committee as well as various modern sports equipment of domestic production, including sportswear, footwear, balls, skis and roller skis. “They are great,” said Matlubakhon Sattoriyon, who is visiting Belarus for the first time.
Then she was warmly welcomed by Igor Petrishenko. “It is very important that the impressions that will be formed about our country will further serve the active development of our relations. We are developing cooperation with Tajikistan in all areas, in all directions. This is facilitated by very strong relations between the leaders of our countries Aleksandr Lukashenko and Emomali Rahmon,” the Belarusian deputy prime minister said.
He added that Aleksandr Lukashenko had recently paid a visit to Tajikistan, and the countries were actively adding to the trade and economic cooperation as a result of the reached agreements.
Igor Petrishenko said that two years ago Belarus successfully hosted the Days of Tajikistan’s Culture. Next year Belarus is preparing to hold full-scale cultural days in return.
Igor Petrishenko also praised active participation of athletes from Tajikistan in the 2nd CIS Games. Athletes from this country will compete in 14 sports. Belarus is ready to assist Tajikistan in the development of the country’s sports area, if necessary. “We are ready to lend a friendly shoulder,” the deputy prime minister said.
“Our range of relations is quite wide. We will discuss everything in detail. I hope that your visit to Belarus and also active work will help intensify our interaction,” the Belarusian deputy prime minister added.
He also extended greetings to Tajikistan’s ambassador, who had been recently appointed to Belarus and had already attended the opening ceremony of the international arts festival Slavianski Bazaar in Vitebsk. Igor Petrishenko invited Matlubakhon Sattoriyon to visit the event next year.
In turn, Matlubakhon Sattoriyon thanked Belarus for the warm welcome: “This is my first time in Belarus. I have heard a lot about the country, but today I saw Belarusians and your hospitality with my own eyes. We appreciate our time-tested trusting and friendly relations. We cherish the relations of friendship and strategic partnership with Belarus. I have noticed that people in Belarus are very open, responsive, polite and good-natured.”
Tajikistan’s deputy prime minister visited the Khatyn memorial complex on 5 August. “History should be remembered,” she emphasized. She noted that Belarus had to actually rebuild the country anew after the war, given the scale of destruction left behind by the Nazi invasion.