AKIPRESS.COM - Czech President Miloš Zeman and Tajik President Emomali Rahmon discussed Islamic terrorism, which Zeman considers the biggest threat to the world today, reports the Prague Post.

Zeman praised Rahmon for having been able to resolve the problems caused by Islamic militants in the war in Tajikistan in the 1990s. Rahmon has led the country continuously since 1992.

At that time, the government forces fought the opposition that was allied with Islamist militants and some ethnic minorities. Some observers say this was a civil war.

Zeman said Rahmon "is the sole president in the world who has succeeded in beating Islamic terrorism." He mentioned the threat of militants from the Islamic State movement that wants to form a caliphate to include Tajikistan.

Zeman said this was no civil war, but a struggle with terrorism. However, at a later press conference, Zeman called the conflict a civil war. His spokesman said Zeman considered the conflict a civil war that was also a struggle with terrorism.

According to some sources, the fighting in Tajikistan in the 1990s cost the lives of up to 100,000 people. Zeman spoke about 150,000 victims.

After a 30-minute personal meeting between Zeman and Rahmon, the two countries’ delegations met in the presence of both presidents for an hour.

Rahmon said at a press conference the Czech Republic was an important political and economic partner of his country in Europe and came out in favor of further development of mutual relations that he said were on a historically excellent level.

He said he spoke with Zeman about terrorism, extremism and international crime and about the two countries’ joint resolve to stand up to them.

Zeman said he visited Tajikistan 30 years ago to introduce computing in agriculture.

"Tajikistan is a country with a tragic past and a very good future," Zeman said. He said the country’s potential mainly rested in water energy and water sources.

Zeman said Czech firms could participate in the construction of small and medium-sized hydroelectric power plants, in their repairs and they could supply technologies. He said Tajikistan could become one of the most advanced countries on the past Silk Road thanks to its alleged deposits of gas and oil.

Zeman invited Rahmon to visit the Czech Republic. Zeman and Rahmon opened a Czech-Tajik business seminar with the participation of representatives from 70 Czech firms later today.