Kazakh, Tajik Presidents Sign Energy, Agricultural Deals

President Nursultan Nazarbaev (file photo) (CTK) May 4, 2006 (RFE/RL) -- Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbaev and his Tajik counterpart Imomali Rakhmonov held negotiations on bilateral cooperation in the agriculture, energy, and industrial sector in the Kazakh capital Astana today.

Six agreements and a joint communique were signed during the summit.

Nazarbaev, at a news conference with Rakhmonov, said one of the agreements covered the protection of migrant workers.

"We signed an important intergovernmental agreement on the protection of the rights of migrant workers: Tajik citizens working temporarily in Kazakhstan and vice versa. It is obvious that the signing of this document will improve the situation of migrant workers and the protection of their rights and interests."

Nazarbaev also expressed confidence that Kazakhstan can consider Tajikistan a "close friend and ally" in the fight against challenges like extremism, including religious extremism, and drug trafficking.

Rakhmonov will visit Eurasia University and participate in a business forum tomorrow.