In the afternoon the President of the country Emomali Rahmon received a number of high-ranking participants of the Fifth Regional Economic Cooperation Conference on Afghanistan (RECCA-V).

During the meeting of Emomali Rahmon with the Minister of Transport of France Thierry Mariani the issues of bilateral and regional cooperation between both countries have been considered.

Excellency Hamid Karzai, President of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan,
Excellency Mahmud Ahmadinejad, President of the Islamic Republic of Iran,
Excellency Asif Ali Zardari, President of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan,

Distinguished participants of the Conference,
Honourable guests,
Dear ladies and gentlemen,

Allow me first of all to warmly welcome you all at the Fifth Regional Economic Cooperation Conference on Afghanistan.

In the evening of 25th of March the first quadrilateral meeting of the Presidents of Tajikistan, Afghanistan, Iran and Pakistan has been held in Dushanbe.

The issues of regional cooperation in spheres of policy, joint security interaction in fight against modern world threats and challenges, enhancement of socio-economic, investment, innovation relations and others have been discussed at the meeting, which was chaired by the President of Tajikistan Emomali Rahmon.

In the afternoon of 25th of March trilateral meeting of the Presidents of Tajikistan, Afghanistan and Iran – Emomali Rahmon, Hamid Karzai and Mahmud Ahmadinejad took place in Kokhi Somon residence of the Government of the Republic of Tajikistan in Dushanbe.

It was noted that the fundamental economic cooperation is among the most important and advantageous long-term trilateral relations between Tajikistan, Afghanistan and Iran.

Excellency Asif Ali Zardari - the President of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan!

Honorable head of delegations,
Dear Compatriots!
Ladies and Gentlemen!

The central International Nawruz-2012 festivities have been held with participation of Presidents of Tajikistan and Pakistan and numerous high-ranking guests in Nawruz complex of the capital.

An exhibition of folk arts and crafts, as well as products of beautiful nature of Tajikistan decorated the exhibition on the occasion of the Third International Nawruz celebration.

The festivities program of Nawruz-2012 began in the vast internal scene of the Nawruz complex of the capital.

This morning the President of the Republic of Tajikistan Emomali Rahmon, the Presidents of Afghanistan, Pakistan, Iran, and other high-ranking guests attended the opening of the International Nawruz-2012 Conference, which took place in Kokhi Somon Palace of the Government of the Republic of Tajikistan.

Excellencies!
Ladies and gentlemen!
Distinguished participants of the International Navruz Celebration!

I well remember a moment when last year during the celebration of International Navruz Festival in Tehran I cited a poem which in my view fits well this joyous and very festive occasion today:

Light breeze of Navruz blows from abode of friend,
Believe, it will bring good news and enlighten your heart.

Зи кӯи ёр меояд насими боди наврӯзӣ,
Аз ин бод ар мадад хоҳӣ, чароғи дил барафрӯзӣ

Today in the afternoon the President of the Republic of Tajikistan Emomali Rahmon met with the President of the Islamic Republic of Iran Mahmud Ahmadinejad, who has arrived in Dushanbe for participation in the International Nawruz celebrations and the Fifth Regional Economic Cooperation Conference on Afghanistan (RECCA-V).

The heads of two states congratulated each other and nations of Tajikistan and Iran on the commencement of world-famous Nawruz and announcement of this glorious holiday as an international day.