DUSHANBE. Oct 24 (Interfax) - The United States will continue to provide support in a number of projects in Tajikistan, focusing on democratization and strengthening security on the Tajik-afghan border, U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton told journalists on Saturday after her two-day visit to Dushanbe.
She also urged the republic's authorities to make their laws simpler and to ensure the rule of law, which should improve the investment climate in the republic.
We have discussed our work of improving Tajikistan's security, particularly with respect to its border with Afghanistan in order to fight drug trafficking and to raise the potential of each republic in the region, Clinton told a press conference after talks with Tajik President Emomali Rahmon and Foreign Minister Hamrokhon Zarifi.
"All in all, the parties expressed satisfaction with the cooperation process between both countries, and acknowledged that this process is consistent with the parties' interests, and stressed the fact that there is still a great potential for partnership between the two countries," Zarifi said for his part.
Clinton thanked Tajikistan for its help to the anti-terrorist coalition by transiting NATO non-lethal cargo bound for the neighboring Afghanistan.
Both sides have agreed to defend this point of view, to increase pressure on the Taliban movement and to continue the support for the peace process in Afghanistan so as to bring greater stability to the region, the U.S. Secretary of State said.
Washington can help in terms of improving Tajikistan's investment climate, she said.
Changes to the laws and rules, which are key for entrepreneurs and which currently disappoint them, are essential for the implementation of projects on infrastructure, human resources development through better education and health care, Clinton said.
"To attract U.S. investment and technology for processing natural resources, broadening cooperation in the energy sector as the main base for the country's sustainable development, Tajikistan is ready to continue constructive consultations and talks with the U.S. on the subject of Tajikistan's accession to the World Trade Organization," Zarifi said.
The parties called for the repeal of the Jackson-Vanik amendment with respect to Tajikistan, he said.