DUSHANBE, July 3, Asia-Plus — On Tuesday July 3, President Emomali Rahmon congratulated his Belarus counterpart, President Aleksandr Lukashenko, on occasion of Belarus’ main state holiday – Independence Day.  

According to presidential press service, President Rahmon, in particular, noted in his congratulatory message that Tajikistan values its lasting many years ties of friendship and cooperation with Belarus and will take efforts to expand them.  

“Tajikistan as consistent supporter of efficient cooperation considers Tajik-Belarus cooperation as an important perspective process and comes out for further expansion of it,” the message said.  

Earlier, July 27 was celebrated as Independence Day.  On that day in 1990 a declaration on the state sovereignty of the country was passed.  However, on the results of a referendum in November 1996, July 3 was announced the state holiday, as it was on July 3, 1944, that the Soviet troops liberated the Belarus capital city of Minsk of fascist invaders.