Distinguished members of Majlisi milli and deputies of Majlisi namoyandagon!
Dear compatriots!

At the onset and first of all, I would like to sincerely congratulate all of you on the occasion of beginning of activity of the new convocation of Majlisi milli and Majlisi namoyandagon, as well as the 15th anniversary of the establishment of supreme representative and lawmaking body of independent Tajikistan – Majlisi Oli.

You – distinguished new members of Parliament are well aware that one of the major duties of Majlisi Oli is – elaboration, adoption and improvement of laws on diverse dimensions of foreign and home policy of the country and promotion of their practical implementation.

We all are obliged through performing this extremely crucial mission to protect and strengthen legislative ground, most of all, human rights and freedom in our sovereign state as a supreme value in order every individual of society to feel free and could concentrate intellectual and physical potential for the realization of strategic goals of the state and as well as development and prosperity of our beloved homeland, improve a living standard of the people, creation of favorable conditions for an adequate and deserved life of the nation and reinforcement of Tajikistan’s image in international arena.

In this regard, it should be reminded, that a primary objective of an economic policy of Tajikistan is a pledge of sustainable economic development and entire projects are mainly elaborated and being gradually implemented in the scope of three strategic goals, which include energy independence (energy security), bring the country out of communication deadlock and safeguarding of food security.

Aforementioned objectives, including safeguarding of national interests, preserving of independence achievements, social and political stability and strengthening of national consolidation are determinants of courses of President’s activity, Majlisi Oli, the Government of the Republic of Tajikistan, local executive bodies of regions, cities and districts, local self-government bodies, public and non-governmental enterprises and establishments, political parties, social organizations and civil society institutions.

As our dear fellow-citizens are aware, in the course of the past year, Tajikistan has addressed one of the most critical global challenges – a worldwide financial and economic crisis. At the given period, its aggregate damage to state budget has consisted over 1 (one) billion somoni and we still experience its ongoing negative effect.

Despite negative impact of the crisis, in a consequence of an implementation of Plan of anti-crisis measures of the Government last year, a volume of Gross Domestic Product has increased by 3,5% in comparison with 2008. Inflation rate was restrained at the mark of 5% that relative to last year indicators it is less for seven percentage points. Production of agriculture has increased by 10% and basic funds have been applied two and half times more, compared to the year 2008. During this time, construction of dwelling houses has increased by 23% and 17% more of educational offices have been put into operation. Financial revenues of population risen up to 15%. In spite of negative effect of worldwide recession, a salary of social sector workers, including education, health, social protection, science and culture is raised to 20% in average.

It is worthy to mention, that this year for our national economy marks as a year of elimination of crisis elements and factors. Results of the first quarter show the signs of recovery of an economic situation in the country. Within this time, a volume of GDP is increased by 6,8% which is more by 3,2% compared to first quarter of 2009. A volume of industrial production raised by 16,3%, agriculture by 5,7%, retail trade rated 121% and paid services totaled 112%. An inflation rate during the first quarter of 2010 in the consumers market is maintained at 1,6%.

An aggregate volume of state budget revenue in 2010 is approved in the amount of 6 billion and 600 million somoni that is about 1 billion somoni or 18% more as against figures in 2009.

This year for the first time we have divided a draft budget into social budget and budget aimed at development. Total amount of development budget is 2,9 billion somoni that consists 43,2% of entire state budget.

Nowadays, there 55 investment projects attracted by Tajikistan Government are being implemented in diverse sectors of the national economy, a total amount of which is over 8 billion somoni.

There is a launch of the implementation process of 14 public investments projects expected only this year with a total sum of over 1 billion and 300 million somoni, which includes 760 million somoni of grants.

Intensification of state organs reforms, private sector development, and encouragement of investment attraction as well as reinforcement of human resources are identified at the Poverty Reduction Strategy for 2010 – 2012 as priorities in securing consistent progress of the country.

The objective and the importance of adopting this document – is to ensure a sustainable growth of the living standard of population, particularly improvement of a quality of life of indigent segment of the people, that in this context, solution of a range of indeed major issues is envisaged for the implementation of this instrument in practice.

With a glance of national priorities and aimed at achieving goals of the given strategy, a number of issues should be solved which are: sustainable macro-economic development and improvement of state-governance system, development of real sectors of the economy, modernization of production and product line diversification, as well as reinforcement of export capability of the country, improvement of favorable investment climate, business-friendly environment and doing business, social protection of the people, labor market and human resource development.

A Presidential Decree of December 19 2007 “On establishment of the National Development Council under the President of the Republic of Tajikistan” has been issued which is aimed at guaranteeing cooperation on the issues of the national development of Tajikistan based on the principles of constructive partnership of all branches of state organs and civil society.

Creation of the National Development Council enables to timely deliberate on and without delay resolve the issues of substantial political and socio-economic significance. Analyses show that in the result of realization of the strategy and programs adopted by the Government in regard to socio-economic development a poverty rate is annually reducing.

In accordance with the results of joint researches and analyses held by the Government and independent organizations upon the living standard of the people in Tajikistan in 2007 a rate of poverty line from 73% in 2003 is reduced to 53% in 2007. This trend was continued in 2008 – 2009 and reduced to 50%. Consequently, over 1 million people were taken out of poverty line.

The Strategy for 2010 – 2012 embraces effective implementation of necessary measures aimed at sustainable socio-economic development of the country. It empowers to reduce a poverty rate to 40% by the end of 2012.

According to the Mid-term Prospect of socio-economic development of the country, annual growth of the real economy indicators is foreseen no less than 5-6% and inflation rate not more than 8-10% for the next 3 years. Advancement of energy, industrial and agricultural sectors, particularly light and food industry, as well as service sector development are as the means of achieving this goal.

Alongside with this, Statistic Agency and the Tax Committee are obliged together with corresponding ministries and departments, as well as with executive bodies of state authorities in regions, cities and districts to introduce a method of comprehensive statistical service on a real economic situation in accordance with international standards.

In the terms of global financial and economic crisis, a major source which could guarantee strategic and social objectives of the country is a state budget and in this regard, all budget-funded agencies should secure purposeful and transparent budgetary spending, control and strictly observe financial discipline.

Improvement of efficiency for state financial reserves spending is a crucial in implementation of budget policy. Therefore, it is necessary to introduce an Assessment System of state budget reserves spending in the framework of General Strategy for State Finance Management.

With the view of transparency and observance of financial system of economic players it is important to set accounting records reforms via applying International Accounting Standards.

Alongside with this, with the objective of ensuring public and non-public securities turnover, the Ministry of Finance and the National Bank are instructed to arrange equity (securities) market development and organize recurrent securities market by the end of 2010 in accordance with Securities Market Development Strategy of the Republic of Tajikistan for 2008 – 2012.

First of all, they should take efficient measures aimed at improvement of investment culture of the people, issuance and sale of shares (stocks) of large enterprises which are major factors for attraction of investments.

For the purpose of budget adjustment and its (budget) transparency, the Ministry of Finance is committed to go into the three-year state budget draft development and based on that to provide efficient spending of public budget funds in accordance with special sectoral programs.

The issues of simplification of taxation system and easing legal-normative acts related to taxation would facilitate further national economic development and reinforcement of state budget capabilities.

Taxation system in our country is still complicated and requires the contradictions existing in the system be removed, as well as sustainability and invariability of taxes be guaranteed. Taxpayer should deeply understand what for and how much pays taxes.

Thereupon, the Ministry of Finance, the Ministry of Economic Development and Trade and the Tax Committee are authorized to thoroughly analyze an adaptation of the Tax code and laws “On agreements about production distribution” and “On concession” and submit their conclusions and proposals to the Government of the country.

Growth of the budget will be possible mainly through manufacturing entrepreneurship development, economic priority fields progress encouragement, including energy, light industry, mining and mineral operations, production and processing of agriculture, transport, communication, reasonable and efficient utilization of natural resources, like water and land, as well as comprehensive and well-grounded planning of taxation sources.

In addition to that, a system of tax authorities’ activity needs to be improved. Their mission is not only full and timely tax collection, but prevention of law infringement, promotion of regular explanatory works and organization of training courses for taxpayers.

Every individual of society has to be informed that tax payment does not only means paying fund into the public budget stipulated by law, but it also presents an objective of the state might and its progress, guaranteeing a life of dignity for every citizen in a democratic, constitutional and secular society.

Consequently, the Government of the country, Ministry of education, Academy of pedagogical sciences, Tajik Economic Institute, Tajik Institute of Finance and other relevant agencies in cooperation with financial and tax sector experts should undertake practical measures for implementation of teaching a culture of taxation for school pupils in secondary school establishments and for students at high educational institutions.

It would be reasonable to analyze a result of an implementation of custom and tax codes from the aspect of efficiency of existing privileges in taxes and customs duties. Besides, for the purpose of macroeconomic invariability in monetary and credit sector, execution of a range of arrangements on containing inflation rate, increase of bank assets and coordination of monetary and credit policy is needed.

During the independence of our country, the banking system has been improved which it is a component of the national economy and in the terms of market economy ensures sustainable development. With the view of improvement of operation system of banks and their paying solvency, Tajik Government has performed an initiative aimed at issuance of public securities to refinance the National Bank, as well as commercial banks for offsetting of debts wrote off from cotton-growing farms.

Currently, in aggregate 900 banks, non-bank credit organizations, credit departments, service centers and agencies are working in the country. A quantum of extended loans and a number of recipients are systematically increasing. In 2009 a volume of credit provided for economic development has been increased to 12%, deposits to 37% and assets raised to 20%. A number of customers has equaled to 2,3 million people that it is 7% more compared to 2008.

Despite this, banks are currently at the stage of development and it is necessary to arrange the international standards banking system in the country and expand a range of services rendered to population.

With the view of a promotion of monetary policy, measures related to containing an inflation rate and ensure of sustainability of purchasing power of the national currency, increasing a responsibility of banks and non-bank credit organizations, raising their funds, attraction of investments and their application are extremely crucial for the development of the real economy.

In this connection, the National Bank, commercial banks and non-bank credit organizations are committed to undertake concrete and impactful measures for involvement of unused banking capitals into the circulation, increase a volume of loan extension for manufacturing business development up to 20%, especially support of small and medium entrepreneurship in rural remote and mountainous districts which are the sources of creation of new jobs and revise the issue of rate of credit interests.

Another remedy for increase of people accessibility to credit resources and banking services is establishing bank offices in districts. Currently banks are located in the capital and serve mainly citizens of the capital. You are well aware that almost 90% of the people are living beyond the capital and the people in other cities, districts, particularly entrepreneurs in remote areas have limited possibilities of access to relatively large credits.

Therefore, the National Bank of Tajikistan is advised to consider the issue of establishment of banks offices functioning in certain region or district, with relatively fewer capital asset.

Dear friends!

The meeting of the President of the Republic of Tajikistan with the home business community has been held early this year, during which the issues of entrepreneurship support were comprehensively considered. With the view of further development of entrepreneurship all executive bodies of public authorities have been instructed, the Government has adopted a Plan of specific actions and at the moment thoroughly monitors a course of the implementation of those measures.

We have announced a moratorium on any inspections of small and medium business for the last two years and in addition to that have identified tens of items of other privileges, including a period of registration of business subjects is reduced from 45 days to 5 days, as well as value added tax for all forms of entrepreneurship activity has been decreased from 20% to 18% and income tax is reduced from to 25% to 15%.

(Addendum: Last year, an aggregate amount of 215 million somoni of the state budget fund has been allotted and over 1 billion and 600 million somoni of small loans have been extended through joint-stock banks to small and medium manufacturing entrepreneurship development, including agricultural dehkan farms)

However, by-turn, entrepreneurs are also committed to frankly and timely fulfill their own obligations before the budget. In consequence of real and rapid measures undertaken by the Government of Tajikistan aimed at improvement of business environment and creation of favorable investment conditions, recently our country was ranked amongst the top 10 global reformers who made doing business easier and investment rate of the country has raised to 12 points. Just two days ago, special award of the World Bank set for this reason has been presented to Tajikistan.

Doing business encouragement needs everyone should be highly skilled, as well must have modern economic knowledge, legal proficiency and be competitive.

With this view, the Ministry of education, Ministry of economic development and trade, National Bank of Tajikistan, State Committee on Investment and State Property Management are charged to undertake necessary measures to establish business schools and professional development courses under all high educational establishments of the country for the purpose of training of proficient entrepreneurs and improvement of their business professional skills.
Economic growth requires an attraction of more investments and improvement of its introduction mechanism. In this direction, above all, it is important to develop legislation on investment and to properly set up a coordination of investors’ activity and regulation of the process of project proposals for direct investment by the State Committee on Investment and State Property Management.

We should advocate an unwavering and comprehensive support of individual and entrepreneurial initiatives in our economic home policy. From the legal point of view we have to create a free environment where each concerned individual for launching business activity has such opportunity and be supported and protected by the state.

Sustainable development of entrepreneurship is an assurance of steadfast economic growth and reduction of crisis effect, which will facilitate state budget increase. Since, cooperation mechanism of private and public partnership can enable to reduce a share of state budget funds at infrastructural investment projects. Stated projects have to most of all be transformed into the renewal projects and in these circumstances, it would be appropriate to use a mechanism of concession.

In this regard, the Ministry of economic development and trade and the State Committee on Investment and State Property Management must to comprehensively explore and analyze a regulation of the Law “On concession” and the issue of commissioning concessional facilities within short period of time and submit proposals to the Government of the country.

Another course of modernization policy of a real sector of economy is innovative arrangements and involvement of sectors where the least technological gap is observed.

For this purpose, extensive and active application of direct mechanisms of incentive and innovation management, improvement of its legal-normative basis, implementation of stimulation measures for introducing advanced cutting-edge technologies and export of commodities produced by modern technology are needed.

Distinguished delegates!

Nowadays, building and reconstruction works of vitally important facilities of the country are under way, including Rogun and Sangtuda-2 hydro-power plants, the second Dushanbe heating station, small and medium hydro-power plants on the Vakhsh and Zarafshon rivers, power transmission line Tajikistan – Afghanistan, reconstruction of the series of hydro power plants on the Varzob and Vakhsh rivers, Nurek hydro power plant, construction and renovation of automobile highways Dushanbe – Chanak, Dushanbe – Kulob – Qal’ai Khumb – Khorugh – Kulma, Dushanbe – Saritosh, Qurgonteppa – Dusti, road tunnels “Istiqlol”, “Ozodi”, Shahriston, Chormaghzak and railway line Dushanbe – Qurgonteppa. We are daily working on undertaking steps to secure an increase of industrial and agricultural productions, establishment of small and medium industrial enterprises and creation of new jobs with the view of bringing favorable and sound economic foundation for the development of various sectors of the national economy with the aid of a great amount of budget funds, attraction of domestic and foreign investments as well as financial capabilities of citizens of the country.

There 1 billion and 100 million somoni or 16% of a total volume of the budget will be assigned to the development of fuel-energy complex, which it is 181 million somoni or 20% more compared to the last year.

As I mentioned it several times, investing construction of the object of century - Rogun is a civic duty of any self-conscious, devoted and faithful people of the country. Taking the advantage of the high rostrum of legislative body, I once again sincerely extend profound thanks and gratitude to all noble, proud and courageous people of Tajikistan for support of and solidarity with the address of the President on material and moral support of construction of Rogun hydro power plant.

Deep recognition of necessity and importance of building this determining object by all proud, hard-working and civilized people urges us above all to exert our efforts for achieving strategic goals that means secure of energy independence of the country. As far as, the future of Tajikistan is invariably linked with the development of water and energy sector.

However, at present, I reiterate that no one should insist or coerce in the process of selling the stocks of “Rogun Hydro Power Plant” Joint Stock Company.
Since, financial support of Rogun is a matter of patriotism of every devoted individual and a forward-looking contribution of Tajikistan people for their own future, children and coming generation.

It should be done freely as far as construction and building of this object will not be blessed and successful if people are forced.

On the contrary, at the moment, Government financially suports indigent and underprivileged families who are 280 thousand in the country and a total amount of financial aid delivered to these families annually consists more than 100 million somoni.

Saving and economy is very important element for guaranteeing energy security and ease of country’s dependency on fuel import. The people of Tajikistan already experience a benefit of energy saving lamps. During an only one year of Decree of the President on transition to energy saving lamps we succeed in saving 2 billion kilowatt hours of electricity and most importantly we overcame autumn and winter power shortage challenges with relatively less hardships.

I also would like to point out that we should move forward and get close to developed countries on energy-output ratio of domestic products manufacturing. We therefore have to reduce power expenditure of domestic products processing up to 3-4% annually. An implementation of this initiative will enable to save 200 – 270 thousand tons of fuels per year.

To date, there 12 energy projects are being implemented within the framework of public investment programs that an aggregate amount of those projects consists nearly 3 billion somoni.

Assessment and analysis of current fuel-energy complex activity testifies that definite arrangements are executed for regular and efficient operation of energy facilities in autumn and winter time, however, despite, there are still many untapped reserves of possibilities.

Thereupon, the following measures are necessary:

The Ministry of economic development and trade and the Ministry of energy and industry are committed to undertake drastic measures with the view of exploring a mechanism of elaboration of energy saving funds and their practical implementation in line with amendments and alteration to the Act of the Republic of Tajikistan “On energy saving” and a proper adaptation to conditions and current priorities of the country.

The Ministry of energy and industry, “Barqi Tojik” Company, executive bodies of state authority are instructed to take concrete measures for realization of Long-term program on construction of series of small hydro power plants in 2009 – 2020 in regard to building and commissioning of more than 60 small hydro power plants in remote mountainous districts in 2010 – 2011.

The Ministry of energy and industry and Barqi Tojik” Company together with executive bodies of state authority in regions, cities and districts have to undertake steps for reducing energy loss, including power technical waste.

The Ministry of energy and industry, the Ministry of economic development and trade, the Agency on standardization, metrology, certification and trade inspection should properly consider the issue of certification of imported industrial production given the aspect of energy consumption and submit proposals to the Government of Tajikistan.

One of our strategic goals is overcoming of a communication deadlock, that it is being implemented via construction of tunnels and bridges, highways and capable railways, as well as air transport infrastructure and communication.

Last years, a realization of 14 investment projects with a total amount of 2,8 billion somoni is underway in the country in the sector of construction and renovation of automobile highways. It is expected that an implementation of a number of projects will be accomplished by the 2012 that in aggregate will compose 1650 km. of roads, 15 km. of tunnel and over 100 bridges shall be reconstructed and built.

We continue reforms in the sphere of air transport which include an adaptation of airports to the international standards and requirements, increase of flight routes and destinations to the far and near abroad countries. Construction works have also launched in new Dushanbe airport terminal that should be put into operation by the 20th anniversary of the state independence.

Communication sector is a one of the priority courses that plays a major role in the public service market. Recent years a share of mobile service has significantly increased in the communication service market. Alongside with it, a quality of broadcasting national programs on TV and radio should be improved and an accessibility of the people in the different regions of the country to modern informative services has to be guaranteed.

Today, a number of mobile phone customers is totaled 6 million people and internet-users over 500 thousand. Total annual income of all mobile communication operators consists almost 1 billion 500 million somoni. Besides, monthly and annual maintenance of costs of each mobile phone equals to 50 and 600 somoni accordingly.

With the objective of construction sector development it is also important to undertake necessary measures upon the issues of lifting a quality of buildings which are under construction to modern standards. First of all, Agency on construction and architecture, project-designing structures and executive bodies of state authority have to take into account application of energy saving technical equipment at the process of designing the projects of all buildings and facilities. They are also to secure strict control and fulfillment of construction works and a quality of construction materials.

Dear friends!

Humanity crossed the threshold of new millennium with a lot of difficulties and challenges related to food supply. Currently 17% of the world population is living in hunger and due to prediction of scientists in a next 10 years this figure will reach a quarter of population of the planet.

Therefore, with the objective of ensuring food security, we should have serious and far-sighted prospective approach to agricultural sector of Tajikistan. We are obliged to push forward a further development of the sector via implementation of supreme achievements in the fields of science and modern technology. Since, agricultural sector is one of the important spheres of the national economy and most significantly, achieving strategic goal of the Government which includes food security of the country generally depends on the growth of this sector.

With the view of agricultural development and food security an amount of 390 million somoni is assigned in the budget that it is 61 million somoni more in comparison with the last year allotment. Alongside with this, a sum of 200 million somoni allotted for drinking water supply of the people, rehabilitation of reclamation condition of agricultural and arable lands, estimation of an area and land cadastre, that exceeds an assignment of 2009 for these purposes by 33%.

A debt of cotton-growing farms was remaining one of the serious problems of agricultural sector for several years that in consequence, given problem has been resolved last year through appropriate mechanism and an amount of more than 2 billion and 400 million somoni has been wrote off. Moreover, during last three years, in aggregate 450 million somoni of preferential credit from the public budget is extended to agriculture.

Agricultural sector support from the state budget remedies will be continued this year as well. Additional 130 million somoni of preferential credit of the state budget funds will be given to this sector through local banks. Despite the fact that we are lack of land, however, in the terms of reasonable and efficient use of existing land areas, we do have sufficient facilities for agriculture sector development.

I will give you an example: if during 70 years of the past, there 77 thousand hectares of land, including 55 thousand hectares of arable land were allotted as a subsistence farming land, so then during last 15 years 105 thousand hectares of land, including 46 thousand hectares of arable land have been assigned. And the most importantly, today those 105 thousand hectares of land produce over 60% of agricultural products of the country.

Last year, for the first time in the history of Tajikistan’s agricultural sector, an output of grain in the country has reached more than 1 million and three hundred thousand tons.

This achievement first of all became possible owing to the contribution of all farmers of the country, specialists of agriculture and favorable weather. If you remember, three years ago a price of 50 kg. of flour has been increased up to 160 somoni. But, at the moment, it costs from 50 to 75 somoni. It is a consequence of efficient use of land, repeated crops sowing and our appeal on reserving food items, especially grain in every family.

The Government of Tajikistan, the Ministry of agriculture, the State Committee on land development and geodesy, as well as the Academy of agricultural sciences and executive bodies of state authority are instructed to undertake and pursue additional measures aimed at food security guaranteeing. They are also obliged to take steps for state support of agricultural farms and food industry enterprises which are engaged with production of consumer goods and contribute to home market supply.

The Ministry of economic development and trade, the Ministry of energy and industry, the Ministry of agriculture and executive bodies of state authority are committed to undertake effective measures and arrangements within the framework of the Program on agricultural processing sector development in the Republic of Tajikistan 2007-2015 for full and efficient use of output capacity of industrial enterprises and their modernization, introduction of new modern technology to agricultural products processing plants, including to meat, dairy and grain processing enterprises and submit reports on quarterly basis to the Government of the country on execution of further improvement of abovementioned program.

In addition to that, the Ministry of agriculture, Academy of agricultural sciences and executive bodies of state authority in regions, cities and districts must ensure obligatory implementation of adopted programs aimed at agriculture sector development in a certain period of time.

Distinguished audience!

Social sector development and creation of favorable condition for deserved life of the people is a primary objective of the state policy and Tajikistan’s Government. In this regard, the Government of the country has to give an utmost attention to addressing social difficulties and challenges and notwithstanding of negative impact of the worldwide financial and economic crisis to increase financing of this sector.

For instance, last year, state budget expenditure for a majority of sectors has been reduced to 10%, however social sector financing has been fully executed in the margins of approved budget.

Along with it, a huge amount of funds, including over 80% of the Presidential Reserve Fund, targeted expenditure fund of the Government and other financial reserves, as well as investment projects funds and grants annually allot for social sector financing. However it should be pointed out, that unfortunately not all executive bodies of state authority in regions, cities and districts pay necessary and serious attention to the supplementary funding of sectors.

Consequently, aforementioned authorities are commissioned to regularly take measures for additional financing of education, health and social protection offices on the account of balance surplus, excess income of local budgets and other financial sources.

Our main objective in this direction presents improvement of a social protection of the people, development of education and health sectors, expansion of information technology network, creation of favorable and proper conditions for education of children and healthy generation, professional training of youth and necessary qualified specialists.

Education sector has a determining role in implementation of these goals. Last years, in a consequence of the care of the Government financing of this sector has significantly increased. If in 2000 only 42 million somoni was allotted from the state budget to the development of education, so in 2009 including from all sources of financing and approved budget an aggregate amount of funds assigned to education has consisted 1 billion and 70 million somoni.

That it means, during 9 years, education sphere financing is increased 26 times. In 2009 on the account of all financing sources, 218 schools have been built, reconstructed and equipped with total capacity of 40 thousand seats and put in commission.

With a view to facilitate further progress of education sphere and improvement of a level of technological knowledge of the people we have declared 2010 as the Year of Education and Technological Culture. This initiative substantially presents an objective of laying down a ground for development and advancement of technological knowledge the initial basis of which is set at various educational and training establishments.

Therefore, the Academy of sciences, Ministry of education and other relevant ministries and agencies that have educational and training institutions under their own structure are advised to unite all institutional, academic and sectoral potential and possibilities and apply for the purpose of extension and development of technical sciences and introduction of up-to-date technology which meets the needs of modern Tajikistan.

Respect of the native language and deep learning of the language, as well as compulsory learning of foreign languages, first of all Russian and English languages is among the processes which should be under permanent control and monitoring.

In a contemporary world, knowledge of languages and computer skills became one of the major norms of selection and deployment of personnel. Today the time has become, when we have to perform these norms in our society. Certainly, solution of this issue is not a one-day task and it has to be done reasonably, far-sighted and gradually.

In this process, one important point has to be taken into account: in the modern world that country achieves remarkable progress which gives a particular attention to the level of literacy and successfully introduces new technology. As far as, a society where people are well-educated and of literate will not be yield to the any sensitive behavior, intrigues and provocations. Today, a number of computers assigned to secondary schools of the country totaled 27 thousand that consists 80% of indicator of Program on computerization of comprehensive and secondary educational institutions.

In this regard, ministries and agencies together with relevant committees have to take all necessary measures for realization of Comprehensive Schools Computerization Program timely.

Today, it is time toattach a particular importance to initial stage of education system that means preschool training, as far as the first bricks of personality and a horizon of world outlook are laid down namely in preschool facilities. It should be noted, that we not yet properly use the possibilities of the private sector in this course.

In this connection,the Ministry of education is obliged together with corresponding ministries and agencies as well as with executive bodies of the state authority in regions, cities and districts to undertake efficient and impactful measures aimed at improvement of children accessibility to preschool facilities and adaptation of this sector’s activity with endorsed public norms’ requirements.

In regard totransition to new secondary education system, I have expressed my point of view in my last year’s address and I would like to highlight one crucial point. As far as it is clear, today, current legislation of the country sets an age for marriage of girls from 17 years old. With the view of strong preparation of young people for independent life-style, ensuring family value and reinforcement of observance of children rights and interests, it is necessary to amend state legislation and to alter an age 17 to 18 year for marriage, in order to allow girls to graduate perhaps secondary or comprehensive school.

According to statistic data, dissolutions of marriage is increasing year by year. Within last five years (2005 - 2009) divorce acts has equaled to 5850 against 2900 in the past. In 2009 marriage registry offices have registered over 100 thousand of marriages and nearly 6000 of divorces. 3770 marriages are dissolved by courts’ decision.

High professional educational sector is improving owing to aspiration and hard efforts of the Government of the country and a quality of teaching and professional personnel training in universities and institutes gradually takes a turn for the better. However, in spite of all measures undertaken in this direction up to date, this issue still remains one of the main challenges of the day in education sector.

Thereupon, the Ministry of education is instructed in cooperation with concerned ministries and agencies undertake necessary effective measures for elimination of problems existing in this field, like discrepancy of a level of professional skills of high educational establishment graduates to the requirements of a labor market, preparation of identical specialists in a range of high educational institutions without proper assessment of real need of the national economy of the country, inefficiency of qualified specialists and education-methodical foundation for personnel training on a number of necessary specialties.

If we want to make Tajikistan more prosperous and stable in the future, we must create necessary conditions for creative young generation. We should also provide real creative people with the bases, so they could implement their know-how and productive scientific works.

As you know, hundreds of young people annually go abroad for studying on the expenses of Reserve fund of the President of the Republic of Tajikistan through international scholarships. Currently a number of our students studying abroad is more than six thousand.

In this regard, the Government Commission has to pay serious attention to the issue of selecting students and choosing talented young people for nominating to study abroad.

Last years, on the initiative of the Government of Tajikistan the branches of Moscow State University, Financial University of Tajikistan have been opened and function in Dushanbe and other cities of the country as well as the technological and engineering colleges are launched in Rogun and national handicraft college in Istaravshan. We intend to open the branches of a number of famous universities and institutions this and next year.

With the declaration of Independence of the Republic of Tajikistan we have set a sovereign democratic, constitutional and secular state as our primary goal. Our society follows this path firmly, but as everyday life proves, without the active participation of women and young people, to reach this goal would be very difficult, as far as the majority of our population is represented by women and young people. Woman is a mother of generations and lighthouse of each family.

Along with the acknowledgment of women in order to raise their status in society, series of important acts were adopted in the past years, due to them a large number of women have been involved to responsible social and government positions.

It is a matter of our pride that many skilled and educated women have been elected as deputies of the Majlisi Namoyandagon of Majlisi Oli in the parliamentary elections held this year. We are aimed at raising the role of women in the social life and make it impactful in the future.

We have great expectations from the youth, because the commitment of developing and ruling the country lies upon them in future.

Thus, we must treat youth with the high spirit of national self-knowledge, self-consciousness, patriotism and pride from national state, attract them to education and vocational training, and agitate healthy life style among youth.

It is not just crucial duty of every parent, mentor and teacher, but a mission of whole society. Only in this case we can make our nation stand firm and step forward confidently.

Therefore, it is necessary for the Ministry of education, Committee on Youth, Sport and Tourism, executive bodies of state authority in regions, cities and districts,National Olympic Committee and Sport Federations the issues on fostering physical culture and mass sport activities, train professional athletes thus reinforce healthy life style should be thoughtfully considered. Besides this, relevant authorities and agencies should consider developing tourism and creating its infrastructure as one of the perspective fields of future as an important duty.

Distinguished delegates!

A priority direction of domestic policy is the protection of people's health – reforms in this field are bringing high medical service and to improve welfare and technical grounds of healthcare institutions.

We will continue this process further, because in our independent state wellbeing of citizens are recognized as the wealth of state and indefeasible element of its strategic goal. In this regard, I would like to emphasize that the quality of training of medical experts still needs to be improved. Doctors must have the higher value of communication skills and could speak to customers politely and in a good manner.

In this process, the Ministry of health must take necessary steps towards improvement of skills of staff, training the experts and post graduate studies of experts of this field.

In the state policy on social protection of citizens the issue of development of process of salary payment, providing pensions, support of indigent and underprivileged citizens, creating new jobs and in general providing better quality of life is still on the primary stage.

Therefore, the socially oriented budget this year is kept, the financing of which reaches 50% of a total amount of budget. In the budget, total expenditure for social sphere and pension is amounted 3,2 billion somoni, which is increased to 27%.

One of the major objectives of the state is to support vulnerable groups of society who need assistance, such as veterans, orphans, elders and poor families. Therefore, in the framework of social protection program and using the existing opportunities we are continuing to provide material support to vulnerable groups of the people.

This year, with the view of supporting the orphans and elder people houses 13 million somoni is foreseen in the state budget, which equals to 8600 somoni per year per person and 715 somoni per month to each.

In addition, the Government is tasked to increase the minimum wage and pension up to 30% beginning from the 1st of June.

The Government is also instructed to submit proposals for increasing pension, as well as salary of the employees of the budget sector up to 15% and prepare legal framework for regulation of salary of the state governing authority from the 1st of October and shift to the single tariff schedule in the pilot ministries and institutions.

The issue of regulation of the job market is solved gradually as one of the basic items of the anti-crisis program of the Government of Tajikistan. Creation of 180 thousand jobs, the necessity of which was mentioned in my last year address to the Majlisi Oli, was twice more than it was stipulated in the state employment support program.

Last year, 185 thousand job places have been created in different fields of the country’s economy that is a tangible initiative. This year, as well, we will continue to move forward in this direction and create 117 thousand new job places.

It is necessary to render further support for employment of the population by organization of business and trade training courses, micro-financing and creation of self-employment and entrepreneurship centers. In addition, we have to take necessary impactful steps for social protection of needy people, strengthening and regulation of labor relations, payment of pensions and employment of the population.

Therefore, it is necessary for the Parliament, the Government of the country, all local governments to strengthen their activity for realization of these tasks, including solution of issues related with labor migration and pay permanent attention to the employment of the population.

Dear friends!

Culture is one of the important parts of social life and plays a leading role in life and activity of all strata of society, governing traditions and labor activity. The role of culture is significant in strengthening patriotic feelings, national self-awareness, respect of history and increasing the prestige of the country in the international arena.

We are proud of that Tajiks are among the peoples who made a valuable contribution to creation of human civilization. Tajiks in the course of its ancient history had founded material and intellectual culture that is recognized and widely used in the world. Recognition of Navruz by the UN GA as an international spring festival is a clear proof of the said.

In this determining period addressing the heritage of famous ancestors of the Tajik Nation and its widely recognized culture is a creative mean for strengthening the process of intellectual development, national self-awareness, development of the civil society of independent Tajikistan.

Therefore, learning and honoring the heritage of distinguished sons of the Tajik Nation, rehabilitation and use of the heritage of the great faqeeh, the founder of one of the popular mazhabs of Islam – Imam Abu Hanifa and declaration of 2009 as the Year of Imam Azam have been important cultural initiatives in this regard.

In the terms of globalization one of the basic tasks of any state is protection of national identity, language, culture, including historical sites. There are more than 2 thousand historical and cultural sites registered in Tajikistan. The Government annually allocates significant financial means for their protection and restoration.

Generally speaking, expenditures for culture are increasing annually: this year such expenditures have increased in 60% in comparison with 2009 that makes up 214 million somoni. In this period we have completed an establishment of the National Conservatoire, reconstruction of the Ayni Opera and Ballet Theatre, Lohuti Drama Theatre, “Kokhi Borbad” State complex, “Kokhi Tojikistan”, “Kokhi Jomi”, palaces of culture in Gorno-Badakhsan Autonomous Oblast, Kulob and Panjakent cities and other districts in the country, providing of these objects with proper facilities, restoration of historical sites Hulbuk and Sarazm. At present, construction of the National Library and the National Museum in Dushanbe is under way.

Considering the mentioned issues, it is necessary for the Ministry of culture to take measures for protection of the historical and cultural heritage of the nation and initiate inclusion of rare historical sites of Tajikistan into the UNESCO World Heritage List.

Distinguished Members of Parliament,

The Constitution of the Republic of Tajikistan recognizes human rights and human freedoms as high values and obliges all state sectors to practically implement them.

The constitutional norms provide political and legal conditions for the development of democratic State of Tajikistan governed by the rule of law, establishment of state government institutions, development of national law, new qualitative relations among the individual, society and State, as well as economic and social life of the country.

At present conditions, the bases and objectives of the state authorities should be determined by the human rights and freedoms. Laws should not bind rules and norms which do not comply with the human rights and freedoms; all governmental organs and officials should observe, first of all, human rights and freedoms in their activities.

As the guarantor of observance of the Constitution, human rights and freedom of the people, I would like to prove that consideration of complaint of citizens and restoration of their violated rights suppose to be the factor of definition of activities of government authorities.

Analyses indicate that the amount of complaints of citizens to high authorities increases year by year and one of its reasons is the carelessness by the leadership of state authorities on complaints of citizens.

Therefore, leadership of all governments’ authorities including head of the ministries and agencies, chairman of districts and regions, head of government agencies are instructed to provide opportunity for receiving citizens every Saturday as well as organize working visits to the areas for the purpose of ensuring the complaints of citizens.

It is worthy to mention that it is impossible to build democratic, legal, secular and social state without exciting particular norms and independents court of law. Judicial authority plays an important role in providing supremacy of law, protection of human rights and freedom, observance of law and order, law enforcement agency bodies and security agency.

Judicial authority activity is strengthened owing to the framework of constitutional reforms of past years. For the purpose of improving principal of law of judicial authority in 2007 Program of reforming judicial and legal bodies has been adopted which beyond doubt has a great role on improvement and strengthening of this independent authority.

Adoption of series of laws, in particular civil code, economic court, criminal, violation of administrative law, laws «On legal proceeding», «On Court of Arbitration», «On Ombudsmen institution in the Republic of Tajikistan», amendments and alterations to the Constitutional law «On the Constitutional court of the Republic of Tajikistan» contributed to promotion of judicial authority.

The majority of court decision making authorities on the criminal cases judgment, particularly, those, related to arrest or home arrest, domiciliary search, private property arrest, temporary suspension, and others, according to the new Code of Criminal Procedure were introduced into the court authority as of 1st of April.

These changes widen the courts’ authority and double their responsibility, and therefore it is necessary to undertake special measures to strengthen the requirements while the judges’ election, and to increase their skills and capacities.

For the purpose of realization of the Program of courts and judges reforms I have underlined the necessity of continuation of the court changing process in my last year Message to the Parliament and raised the issue on elaboration and submission of a new program for this sphere for the years to come.

Consequently, in order to develop and submit a draft on the mentioned issues, the Constitutional Court, Supreme Court, Arbitration Court, Ministry of Justice, Council of Justice and the Prosecutor General office must implement the following as soon as possible:

First, to thoroughly study the issue of lifetime employment of those judges, who worked as judges for more than ten years and proved themselves as experts, qualified and fair judges.

Second, it is necessary to organize departments of administrative and family judges from the pool of the existing judges within the structure of the general court and to make amendments and alterations into the relevant laws of the Republic of Tajikistan.

Third, with the view of expansion of the authority of courts, to undertake measures, aimed at increasing the responsibility of the judges while making important legal decisions and prevention of corruption elements in their activities.

Fourth, elaboration and submission of the Administrative Procedure Code.

We have endorsed and adopted the State Program on the fight against crime in the Republic of Tajikistan for the 2008 – 2015: its main purpose is the strengthening of the fight against crime, deep changes of the law enforcement bodies’ activities, related to fight against crime; defense of the rights and freedoms of a human and a civilian and the interests of the state and society.

In this direction, the law enforcement bodies have made a tremendous contribution to the clearance and prevention of the negative phenomena and crime challenges, including terrorism, extremism, drug trafficking, corruption, trafficking in human beings and they also performed necessary initiatives in establishment of peace and stability. Nevertheless, this contribution is not sufficient.

Therefore, it is demanded to strengthen their activities in the line of the fight against the mentioned forms of crime for the following bodies: General Prosecutor office, The Ministry of Interior Affairs, the State Committee for the National Security, the Agency on State Finance Control and Fight Against Corruption and the Drug Control Agency.

The fight against corruption and crimes, related to corruption, is also an important direction of the legal policy of the state, as far as corruption undermines the basis of the state and efficient functioning of the state bodies, and finally very negatively affects the process of social and economic development and the ethics of the society, as well as other aspects of social life.

Given the offensive consequences of this negative phenomenon the Government of the country in January 2008 has adopted the Strategy of the Fight Against Corruption for the years of 2008 – 2012 that identifies the main directions of the law enforcement bodies activities which are under the implementation at the moment.

It is notable that over the past years three legal acts have been adopted in the country to legalize properties and capitals. They have been aimed to bring illegal and unregistered capitals into legal circulation and prevent corruption and abuse of the capitals and properties.

Due to preliminary data, more than 87 thousand pieces of properties at the amount of more than 19 billion somoni that is about 5 billion US dollars have been legalized as a result of implementation of the Law “On Amnesty of citizens and legal persons of the Republic of Tajikistan due to legalization of properties” from January 1, 2008 to July 1, 2009. Amnesty of capitals and properties granted by the state provides opportunity for citizens to legalize their capitals and properties without the source of income being demonstrated as well as to be engaged with the national economy.

At the same time, current state of corruption-related crimes urges to focus on following anti-corruption measures:

- First, ensuring of purposeful use of budget funds through introduction of tight state financial control;

- Second, establishment of beneficial collaboration among Prosecutor General’s Office, Agency on State Finance Control and Fight against Corruption and other law enforcement agencies in fighting against corruption-related crimes, namely, prevention and elimination of the aforesaid crimes;

- Third, ensuring of transparency of administrative, judicial, law enforcement and other state agencies, especially in ensuring transparency of public purchases (works and services), privatization of properties, public sales and bids;

- Fourth, review of personal immunity of officials that sometimes leads to abuse of office and corruption, namely in respect of legal status of delegates of the Parliaments and other representative bodies, members of the Government, judges, prosecutors and law enforcement staff;

- Fifth, with the aim to prevent corruption-related elements through legal means to ensure introduction of anti-corruption expertise of the law, improvement of laws and their efficient implementation;

- Sixth, specification of responsibilities of the head of all administrative, judicial, law enforcement, financial, tax, banking, custom, security bodies and other administrative and public agencies to ensure prevention of corruption among their staff.

Under the Anti-Corruption Strategy for 2008-2012 all ministries, agencies and local authorities shall develop and implement their intra-agency anti-corruption programs. These programs shall incorporate and implement measures aimed at prevention of abuse of office, misappropriation of public properties, bribery and other negative phenomenon.

In addition to that, a corresponding legal act is required to be developed and adopted given the current state of affairs, namely in corruption-related crimes as well as to strengthen fight against corruption.

In my address to Majlisi Oli last year, I expressed my view on the necessity of gradual transition to imposing of penalty for economic crimes providing that caused damage be reimbursed. The work has been already launched in this regard and it should be brought to a conclusion. As it is known, it is impossible to eliminate crime through strengthening punishment only.

Therefore, the law enforcement agencies and security bodies along with prevention and strengthening fight against crime and offence are obliged to work out corresponding proposals on making disciplinary and administrative penalty equitable and compliable and proportionate and submit them to the Government of the country.

Distinguished members of Majlisi Milli and delegates of Majlisi Namoyandagon!

Dear audience!

Foreign policy of our country with its invariable principles, fundamentals and traditions over the independence period has long been the logical order of well-considered, balanced and comprehensive strategy of the Republic of Tajikistan.

It is based on our “Opened Doors” policy announced eight years ago and is constantly aimed to ensure favorable international environment for the sustainable development and progress of the country.

Given the rapidly changing situation in the modern world ensuring of freedom and independence, territorial integrity and political stability, state security and implementation of national interests at large are of vital goals. In this regard and in the light of exacerbation of competition among great powers for strengthening their influence on various regions of the world, looking for and finding best ways and means to protect and implement national interests required new steps and initiatives.

Recent developments in the region prove once again that Central Asia as an area of geopolitical and geostrategic competition is does not stand apart from the trends I have already mentioned and moreover, it is a crossroad of clash of various interests. It requires us to conduct well-considered and balanced policy. And I once again would like to stress that point, which I have already noted in my address to Majlisi Oli few years ago that Central Asia as a sensitive and fragile area of our planet should be not an area of disorders and clash of interests, but a center of their consolidation.

The Republic of Tajikistan while daily pursuing its foreign policy comprehensively supports such approach. At the same time, we are to take steps based on profound recognition of details and substance of the trends, with awareness, intelligence and farsighted understanding in order to serve our people and homeland within the framework of realistic policy.

These days, when the international community focuses attention to Central Asia, I would like to once again express the position of Tajikistan on the region. At the outset, it is notable that we cannot stand apart from being seriously concerned over the situation in neighboring Kyrgyzstan although that is their internal affair. As our people has already gone through such situation and we are well aware of its cost we sincerely wish the situation be settled and further progress ensured by the people of Kyrgyzstan itself.

I would like again to emphasize that starting from the very beginning of our independence and up to now, we have not changed our policy and we always advocate a priority of staunch and friendly cooperation among all regional countries.

Our ancestry has set up a ground for benign relations over centuries, strengthened it and we are to continue these high and good traditions. Nobody knows our problem better than we do. Only benign intentions, common goals and strong will are required to make the region an integrated unit of constructive cooperation, friendly dialogue and fruitful relations.

For instance, let us talk on water and power issues that have become a pressing challenge. Tajikistan has never been selfish in this regard and on the contrary it has been always initiating mutually beneficial cooperation in this field and hoped regional partners and counterparts would profoundly understand its goals and hopes.

In this relation, I would like to underline once again the following points:

Tajikistan has never dismissed concerns and doubts of its neighbors and the Memorandum that was signed by our country with the World Bank which is wisdom of these words. We declared our willingness for examination of social, economic and ecological aspects of Roqun project and I officially informed the head of states of the region about this decision. At the moment, we requested the United Nations to conduct comprehensive review of obsolete system of irrigation and water supply in the region, including numerous reservoirs, and its ecological condition in order to, firstly, put an end to any groundless accusations and, secondly, to encourage through this initiative both opportunities and investments of international financial institutions for elimination of difficulties of the region.

The country that despite being the main source of water of Central Asia uses only 5-7 percent of regional water and as a mountainous country does not have the possibility of irrigated land can never create a risk of water deficit in the region.

On the country, our previous proposal on supply of pure drinking water to the population of the region from high-altitude Sarez Lake is still on the table.
Our neighbors should correctly understand the circumstances of Tajikistan that does not possesses rich energy resources as gas and oil and annually faces with the difficulties during 6-7 months of cold season due to lack of electricity and heating and for supplying the country with electricity has no way, but to build hydropower station.

Furthermore, Tajik people, as a full member of the world community have moral right for peaceful and deserved life.

In accordance with the UN Charter and other provisions of international law each country and every nation can independently use its natural resources for its development and prosperity. Yet, referring once again to all people of the region, I would like to stress that Tajikistan shall never leave its neighbors without water. We are ready to find solutions to all emerging issues through friendly talks. My appeal on to neighbor and partner countries is sincere.

The people that have always paid tribute to noble traditions of morality of its ancestry also follow them in its every day life and shall always remember about the neighbor’s portion. Today, when such serious threats and risks as terrorism and extremism, narcotic smuggling and drug trafficking, transboundary crime and tens of other dangerous trends pose threat to very being of our life, it is time to put aside secondary and artificially created issues and to focus on constructive cooperation, strengthening confidence and mutual support in order to leave secure and prosperous region and friendly relations for the next generation. The only way to find solutions to all problems is cooperation and only cooperation. Tajikistan is always ready for such process.

Our country implements particularly this method in its relations with other countries in the world: that means we are adherent of constructive cooperation with the country that is ready to have this type of relations with us. In post-soviet space we are a member of Commonwealth of Independent State, Eurasian Economic Community and Collective Security Treaty Organization and our membership to and cooperation in these organizations is based on the principles that I have mentioned above.

We intend to further develop and advance our role and contribution to cooperation with these organizations and member-states, and first of all with Russian Federation that is our strategic partner.

In the region Tajikistan is the member of Shanghai Cooperation Organization and the outcome of our participation in its work is known to every country.

Providing collective security, wide-ranged political, economic and cultural ties, mutual support in improvement of our every day life are objectives of this organization and it is obvious that Tajikistan is adherent to advancement of its participation in the work of the organization and development of relationship with the member states, among which People’s Republic of China plays a particular role.

In international arena Tajikistan takes active part in the work of tens of international organizations, most important of which are United Nations, Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe and European Union.

Initiatives and proposals of our country that have been welcomed by them is proof of a high recognition of Tajikistan in international arena. From this point of view, we will continue our efforts in further developing our relations with the United States of America, France, Germany and other developed countries of the world. Our relations with international financial institutions such as World Bank, International Monetary Fund, European Bank of Reconstruction and Development, Asian Development Bank, Islamic Development Bank and a number of funds of individual countries are successfully developing.

Foreign policy activities of Tajikistan are not limited to the scope of the international structures that I have listed above. By maintaining our traditional and immemorial ties with Muslim and Arab countries as well as other regions of the countries we seek to maintain good and beneficial relations with them. Among them one can name Islamic Republic of Iran, Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, India, Turkey, Pakistan and Japan. It is the result of all these efforts that this year, in month from now, our country will host Session of Foreign Ministers Council of the Organization of the Islamic Conference that will be held for the first time in the post-soviet area. This event will not only promote higher international recognition of Tajikistan but will also serve as favorable means for finding solution to numerous issues of the Islamic world.

It should be noted, that the result of these efforts will be an announcement of Dushanbe city as the capital of Islamic culture by the Resolution of Islamic Education, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ISESCO) during the summit.

In this regard, it is worth to remind that in the recognition of our country’s’ initiatives, the UN General Assembly decided to hold the International Conference on “Water for life”, declared on Tajikistan’s initiative, in June this year in Dushanbe. The global issue like water is a concern of every country of the planet and we will try the results of the international conference to be served for solving the problem. In this connection, our active participation in these Organizations on multilateral basis and cooperation with its members as well as on bilateral basis is our main foreign policy priority.

Naturally, we as a host country of these international events should make great efforts to conduct them on high level performing Tajik hospitality.

The peaceful and peace-loving foreign policy of Tajikistan is always in search of friends that providing stability in borders and good-neighborliness are integral parts of this policy. For this reason, promotion in settling political situation in Afghanistan is always a matter of our endeavor and concern. There is no doubt, that the regional security of Central Asia is closely linked with peace and stability in Afghanistan. During the civil war Tajikistan irrespective of its problems always spoke for Afghanistan’s peace and stability and today these purposes are being pursued. Building of roads and bridges connecting Afghanistan, construction of power transmission lines, highway and railroad building are the means of developing and expanding our ties with the people of this country, are examples of our close and good relationship. Highly evaluating the efforts of the world community, Tajikistan is sure that it is impossible to restore peace in Afghanistan by military way only. In this regard, the world community should pay attention to the search of peaceful means to restore lasting peace in the war-ravaged suffering country. Tajikistan is ready to exert all efforts and aspirations and in case of need to spare no efforts in sharing with its practice of restoring peace.

Distinguished members of Majlisi milli and deputies of Majlisi namoyandagon.
Dear nationals,

On the way to building independent, democratic, secular and social Tajikistan that meets our needs and national interest, the main tasks and direction of domestic and foreign policy are defined and they are clearly obvious to everybody. It should be mentioned that during defining the Government’s tasks for short–term and long-term perspectives we take into account not only the result of comprehensive analysis and assessment of today’s economic, social, political, public, cultural, legal state and international relation of country, but problems solution of which was stipulated by pre-election program.

We have focused all recourses at our disposal to solve existing problems and to create favorable conditions for sustainable development of the whole sphere of society’s life which in consequence will improve the living standard of the people.

At the stage when realization of Tajik state’ strategies gradually comes up and due to strengthening of clash of different interests, the defense of the state and national independence is of great importance, timely fulfillment of tasks, assignments and solution of mentioned problems proceeding from domestic and foreign policy of our independent country and related to activity of Majlisi Oli, the Government of the country, executive bodies of state authority, will facilitate an overcome of the problems.

Undoubtedly, to ensure progress, development and prosperity of the country, political and social peace and stability are required all of us despite social status, belonging to a party as well as every noble son of the nation who is patriot by nature and wishes prosperity of his country, to take every efforts to maintain national unity, political peace and stability in the country. We should also have profound understanding and high responsibility before the people and the state on the way to build a sovereign state that meets all needs and national hopes as well as do our best to serve devotedly and impartially for the benefit of the people and homeland and have benign approach to our responsibilities.

Next year together with the noble people of the country we will commemorate the 20th anniversary of Tajikistan’s independence. Therefore, every civil servant, intelligent and noble persons along with fruitful work aimed to ensure development and progress of the country should also be engaged with constructive and creative works and make a further contribution to the prosperity of the land of his ancestry. This is an only way to ensure socio-economic development of the country and its prosperity does bring our people to happiness and deserved life. In this regard, I wish all of you distinguished delegates and dear fellow-citizens every success.

I raise hands to pray Almighty Allah to defend peace and stability of our beloved Homeland, forever protect our land with its beauties of nature in His Haven of Goodness and make sovereign Tajikistan every sons’ wishes and dreams come true.

I thank you.