First Deputy Foreign Minister of Tajikistan has met with the EU Special Representative for CA

Dushanbe, July 24. (NIAT “Khovar”).-

On July 23, the First Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Tajikistan Mahmudjon Sobirov met with the EU Special Representative for Central Asia Ambassador Patricia Flor. The meeting was also attended by the former Special Representative of the European Union for Central Asia Mr. Pierre Morel.

At the beginning of the meeting, M. Sobirov has warmly welcomed the high-ranking representatives of the European Union and wished Ms. Flor every success in her further activities.

First Deputy Foreign Minister thanked the Ambassador Pierre Morel, who completed his term of office as the EU Special Representative for CA. He praised his work in the development of relations between Central Asian countries and the European Union. At the same time, Mahmudjon Sobirov congratulated Patricia Flor on her appointment to this lofty position, and expressed hope for continuation of effective and mutually beneficial ties.

The EU Special Representative has mentioned her first visit to Tajikistan in a new capacity and highly commended a productive and interesting discussion she held with President Emomali Rahmon.

Ms. P. Flor noted the implementation of the EU Strategy for Central Asia, which is carried out for 5 years. Given the proximity of Central Asia to Afghanistan, the EU will pay more attention to security issues. The EU intends to offer high-level dialogue with the countries of the region on Afghanistan, and this initiative will be discussed at the forthcoming meeting of the EU-Central Asia at the level of Foreign Ministers, said Patricia Flor.

First Deputy Minister stressed that Tajikistan supports the implementation of the EU Strategy in Central Asia. In this context, he drew attention of interlocutors to the need to strengthen cooperation between the EU and Tajikistan in the field of border security. It was noted, that in this direction a number of projects are already under implementation, however it would be appropriate to consider the possibility of expanding cooperation on border security capacity building.

In addition, the parties have also discussed the use of Tajikistan's facilities for the socio-economic rehabilitation of Afghanistan and the implementation of infrastructural projects in the region.

The two sides also discussed other major issues related to cooperation in Central Asia.

NIAT “Khovar” has been reported at the Department of Information, Press, Analysis and Foreign Policy Planning of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Tajikistan reported.