DUSHANBE - Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on Thursday that trade volume between Turkey and Tajikistan was 50 million U.S. dollars, stating that they decided to increase this figure to 250 million U.S. dollars by the end of 2004.
Erdogan and Tajik Prime Minister Oqil Oqilov held a joint news conference following tete-a-tete meetings and talks between the delegations of the two countries.
Oqilov said they discussed issues aiming at improvement of economic relations, stressing that there were facilities to improve trade volume.
Erdogan said their meetings took place in a positive atmosphere, stressing that, ''the two friendly countries should be determined to take joint steps to make Eurasian geography in solidarity.''
Pointing out that the two countries have cultural ties, Erdogan said some delays in relations should be overcome, and that steps should be taken in economy.
Erdogan said Tajikistan gained a respectable place in the international platform, stressing that Turkey carefully covered those steps, and that Turkey supported all the steps taken by Tajikistan in the international platform.
Erdogan said they also discussed Afghanistan and Iraq, adding that, ''it is impossible for the two countries to remain indifferent to those incidents. We decided to launch joint actions on security and stability.''
The two countries signed three agreements on various issues before the joint news conference.
TAJIK PRESIDENT RAHMONOV RECEIVES ERDOGAN

Tajik President Emomali Rahmonov received Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
State Ministers Besir Atalay, Mehmet Aydin and Kursad Tuzmen, Justice Minister Cemil Cicek and Justice and Development Party (AK Party) deputy leader for foreign affairs Saban Disli also attended the meeting which lasted for about one and a half hour.
RAHMONOV HOSTS DINNER IN HONOR OF PRIME MINISTER ERDOGAN

Speaking in the dinner, Erdogan expressed belief that two countries should improve existing economic cooperation and pool their resources.
Erdogan said that Turkey was one of the first countries which had recognized independence of Tajikistan and wished to further improve cooperation with Tajikistan in every field.
He was pleased to see that his Tajik friends wished the same thing, Erdogan noted.
Erdogan pointed out that trade volume between Turkey and Tajikistan was increasing in a good way thanks to particularly highway constructions.
''But, this trade volume is very away from reflecting the real potential. I believe that we should further improve existing economic cooperation and pool our resources,'' Erdogan said.
Erdogan stated that State Minister Mehmet Aydin joined the Joint Economic Commission (JEC) Third Term Meeting that took place in Dushanbe at the beginning of October and the meeting was very fruitful.
He was accompanied by many businessmen during his visit to Tajikistan, Erdogan stressed.
Erdogan expressed belief that Turkish-Tajik Business Council meeting would be very fruitful and businessmen of two countries would realize that economic potential.
Stating that positive developments in Turkish-Tajik relations were appreciated, Erdogan said, ''we are ready to share our experiences in every field.''
Erdogan recalled that the year 2003 was announced as the International Year of Freshwater by the United Nations (U.N.). Stating that Tajikistan had important water resources, Erdogan said that Turkey could help Tajikistan make use of that water resources.
Noting that two countries should also further improve educational and cultural cooperation, Erdogan showed Mevlana as an example of common values between two countries.
Erdogan added that Tajik students having education in Turkey would play an important role in development of cooperation between two countries.
RAHMONOV: TAJIKISTAN IS VERY INTERESTED IN CLOSE COOPERATION WITH TURKEY

Rahmonov said that Tajikistan was always in favor of establishment of cooperation based on mutual benefits with all countries which formed international society on the basis of universal norms and mutual interests and it would continue to do so. He stated that they considered this approach as the cornerstone of peace and stability in the world.
Rahmonov said that Tajikistan was very much interested in close cooperation with Turkey which his country had common historical relations and stated that visit of Turkish government's delegation to his country showed that both sides had this eagerness.
Stating that Tajikistan believed that taking into consideration mutual interests and coordinating efforts would enrich cooperation between the two countries, Rahmonov said that it would contribute to not only Tajik and Turkish people, but also settlement of peace and international security.
Rahmonov said that they were sure that Turkish Prime Minister's official visit to Tajikistan would further improve development process of relations between the two countries.
Rahmonov said that they hope that the issues on which consensus was reached during this visit would make sounder the basis of Tajik-Turkish cooperation.
State Ministers Besir Atalay, Mehmet Aydin and Kursad Tuzmen, Justice Minister Cemil Cicek and Turkish businessmen also participated in the dinner.
Erdogan invited Tajik President Rahmonov to Turkey.
(EÖ-AÖ) 23.10.2003