DUSHANBE, July 3, 2012, Asia-Plus  -- On Tuesday July 3, Tajik President Emomali Rahmon congratulated his Belarusian counterpart Alexander Lukashenko on the occasion of Independence Day of Belarus, the Tajik president’s official website reports.

In his message of congratulations, Tajik leader, in particular, noted that the two countries have been tied by bonds of friendship and fruitful cooperation as well as mutual desire for strengthening of mutually beneficial relations.

President Rahmon also expressed confidence that Tajikistan and Belarus could give more intensity and dynamism to the bilateral cooperation by common efforts. 

Independence Day is observed as a national holiday in Belarus. The day usually commences with a presidential address, and is followed by honoring the memory of the fallen heroes who fought the Nazi forces in 1944 to proclaim freedom for Minsk, the capital city of Belarus.  The Independence Day celebrations also include military and civil processions, concerts, and other festivities throughout the country.