DUSHANBE (TCA) — EU Special Representative to Central Asia Ambassador Peter Burian had on 23-24 January meetings with Tajikistan’s Government, including President Emomali Rahmon, Minister of Foreign Affairs Sirojiddin Aslov, First Deputy Chairman of the National Bank Jamoliddin Nuraliev, and Minister for Economic Development and Trade Nematullo Hikmatullozoda. Ambassador Burian also met with representatives of civil society, the international donor community, international financial institutions, the OSCE, resident Ambassadors of EU Member States, and the Aga Khan Development Network, the Delegation of the European Union to Tajikistan said.
Ambassador Burian’s meetings covered a broad range of current political and economic issues relevant for the assessment of Tajikistan’s challenges, goals and development plans. During the meetings, the sides discussed EU’s engagement in Tajikistan, Tajikistan’s economic development, intra-regional relations, the energy sector, and the new National Development Strategy 2016–2030, whereby the EU stands ready for partnership and support. In that context, preparations for the upcoming EU–Tajikistan Cooperation Council meeting were thoroughly discussed, as well as the role of the Sub-Committee for development cooperation in the implementation of National Development Strategy. Tajik side conveyed its intention to present the National Development Strategy to the EU institutions and Member States, calling for the EU support in organising appropriate events.
Ambassador Burian called upon Tajikistan to continue economic reforms in order to reach the aspired goals, including macroeconomic and financial stability and to find a sustainable solution for issues currently discussed with the international financial institutions. The sides also discussed numerous issues burdening Tajik economy and budget, including those stemming from security needs to reoccurring natural disasters.
Regional security and broader security challenges facing Tajikistan were also at the core of the discussions, as the EU recognizes the multiple dangers and threats Tajikistan is exposed to, given the situation in Afghanistan and beyond. The Tajik side called upon the enhancement of the EU support and technical assistance for protection of borders, stressing that by ensuring security of Tajikistan, the broader security interests of other international actors, including the EU, will also be enhanced.
Ambassador Burian expressed the EU support for the on-going dialogue and improvement of relations between Tajikistan and Uzbekistan, with a view to pave a way for full political, economic, trade, cultural and social cooperation between the two neighbors.
