H. Zarifi: Tajikistan is interested to contribute to the rehabilitation of Afghanistan

Dushanbe, December 12. (NIAT "Khovar", P.Nazarov) .- In the framework of participation in the 18th OSCE Ministerial Council meeting in Vilnius, Tajik Foreign Minister (MFA RT) Hamrokhon Zarifi held a talk with the Deputy Secretary-General for Political Affairs Lynn Pascoe, on December 7.
In the course of the meeting, H. Zarifi had informed L. Pascoe on the situation in the country and the region, preparation for the Regional Economic Cooperation Conference on Afghanistan RECCA-V, which is scheduled in Dushanbe in March 26-27, 2012.
Particular attention was paid to explaining the constructive position of Tajikistan to the solution of water and energy problems in Central Asia, regional security issues and the situation in Afghanistan, as well as reduction of military presence of the international coalition forces in the neighboring country.
In connection with this, Tajik Foreign Minister drew the attention of the interlocutor to the need for operations under the aegis of the UN and the importance of strengthening cooperation between the UN and Tajikistan in strengthening the Tajik-Afghan border, combating transnational threats and assisting in the economic reconstruction of Afghanistan. Tajikistan is interested in making contributions to the rehabilitation and revival of Afghanistan, said H. Zarifi. In this point, the value of the project CASA-1000 and the building of transport corridors linking Tajikistan with Afghanistan play a significant role.

In response, UN Deputy Secretary General Lynn Pascoe expressed gratitude to Tajik side for making efforts in ensuring peace and stability in the region and initiatives to support Afghanistan, as well as pledged to help Tajikistan holding conferences RECCA-V in Dushanbe.

At the same day, Foreign Minister of Tajikistan met with EU Special Representative for Central Asia Pierre Morel.
During the conversation, Pierre Morel reported the Tajik side to hold the next meeting of EU and Central Asia Foreign Ministers in Bishkek in mid-April 2012.

H. Zarifi gave high appreciations to the current level of cooperation between Tajikistan and the European Union and briefed in detail about the situation in the region and country. The head of the Tajik Foreign Ministry made a special emphasis on the recent initiatives of the Republic of Tajikistan to strengthen regional security in Central Asia and the proposals for the further expansion of cooperation with Afghanistan in the field of energy, transport and training.

In the afternoon of the same day in Vilnius, Tajik Foreign Minister H. Zarifi met with UN Special Representative for Afghanistan Jan Kubis.

The sides thoroughly exchanged views on the development of the current situation in the region and Afghanistan, MFA RT Department of Information, Press, Analysis and Foreign Policy Planning reported NIAT "Khovar". (Translated by D.Azizov)