DUSHANBE, June 11, 2014, Asia-Plus — The recently appointed new EU Special Envoy for Central Asia, Ambassador Janos Herman, on his regional tour visited Tajikistan on June 9, 2014, according to the Delegation of the European Union to Tajikistan.
During the visit, Ambassador Herman met Qohir Rasoulzoda, Prime Minister, Sirojiddin Aslov, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Usmonali Usmonov, Minister of Energy and Water Resources, Rustam Nazarov, Head of the Drug Control Agency under the President of Tajikistan.
He also met with representatives of the civil society and delivered a lecture for young diplomats about the structure of the European Union and its relations with Central Asia and Tajikistan, at the MFA Academy.
During his meetings, Ambassador Herman discussed with government authorities the continuation of EU programs in Central Asia in the new 2014-2020 EU budget period. It is foreseen that the region will receive up to EUR 1 billion of assistance from the European Union. The Special Envoy highlighted the importance of political dialogue and the deepening of cooperation with Tajikistan.
Ambassador Herman also discussed security issues as well as co-operation to address transnational threats including drug-trafficking. Discussions covered economic relations, water, hydropower and energy issues. Acknowledging Tajikistan”s energy needs Ambassador Herman reiterated the necessity of energy sector reform, including energy efficiency measures.
He also underlined the importance of continued dialogue in the fields of rule of law and human rights.
The European Union, composed of 28 Member States, is the world’s biggest aid donor. Tajikistan received the main share of bilateral assistance in the Central Asian region (€66 million for 2007-2010 and 62 million for 2011-2013) in support to sector programs, technical assistance and grants. It focuses on social protection, health and private sector development, underpinned by public finance management. Tajikistan also receives regional and thematic assistance in areas like border management and drug control (BOMCA/CADAP), education (TEMPUS, Erasmus Mundus), water / environment, migration, human rights and democracy (EIDHR), non-State actors (NSA) and SME development (CA-Invest). EU is active in Tajikistan since 1992 and provides approximately EUR 25 million annually in development assistance.
