DUSHANBE, November 28, Asia-Plus — Tajik Foreign Minister Hamrokhon Zarifi yesterday received a delegation of the European Union (EU) troika, comprising representatives from Portugal and Slovenia as well the EU institutions, information posted on the Tajik MFA website said.
During the meeting, Tajik minister expressed satisfaction with the present level of cooperation of Tajikistan with the EU countries.
In the course of the talks the sides discussed problems of using water and energy resources in the region, providing regional security, as well as regional integration among Central Asia’s states.
They also discussed a progress of implementation of the BOMCA/CADAP Programs in Tajikistan and Tajik government’s efforts to combat drug trafficking in the region.
Zarifi noted said that despite all this, Tajik border guards are still facing a number of problems, including shortage of appropriate equipment and skilled specialists, and noted need for greater border security. He added that assistance of European colleagues in tackling those problems would be timely.
Zarifi shared with members of the EU delegation his views on the upcoming elections in neighboring Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan as well as the present situation in Afghanistan.
Tajik minister offered to hold the next meeting of the EU troika-Central Asia but at the level of foreign ministers in Dushanbe next spring.
