On Wednesday October 10, new Head of Delegation/Ambassador-Designate Delegation of the European Union (EU) to Tajikistan, Ms. Marilyn Josefson presented a copy of her credentials to Tajik Foreign Minister Sirojiddin Muhriddin, according to the Tajik Foreign Ministry information department.
In the course of the talks, the two reportedly considered a broad range of issues related to state and prospects of further expansion of bilateral cooperation between Tajikistan and the European Union.
Mr. Muhriddin and Ms. Josefson also exchanged views on a number of regional and international issues being of mutual interest.
Ms. Marilyn Josefson, who had previously worked for the Permanent Representation of Sweden to the European Union in Brussels, was appointed to hed the EU Delegation to Tajikistan in September this year.
The Delegation of the European Union to Tajikistan is one of over 130 European Union Delegations around the world.
The Delegation of the European Commission to Tajikistan was established in Dushanbe in 2003 and officially accredited as a diplomatic representation in May 2004. It initially operated as a Regionalized Delegation under the authority of the Head of Delegation based in Kazakhstan (Alan Waddams since 2001, Adriaan van der Meer since 2005, Norbert Jousten since 2008) while its daily operations were supervised by a Chargé d'affaires a.i. (Ms. Barbara Plinkert since 2004, Ms. Charlotte Adriaen since 2007). In 2009, the Delegation started to be upgraded into a fully-fledged Delegation, culminating with the arrival of a new resident Head of Delegation in January 2010.
Starting from December 1, 2009 with the Lisbon Treaty entering into force, the Delegation of the European Commission was transformed into the Delegation of the European Union to Tajikistan..
The Delegation ensures the representation of the European Union in the Republic of Tajikistan; ensures the follow-up of bilateral relations in the areas of political, economic, trade and external assistance cooperation (financial and technical), in particular to implement the Partnership and Co-operation Agreement (PCA); ensures the follow-up of EU policies in all sectors; in particular the European Union and Central Asia: Strategy for a New Partnership; promotes and defends the values and interests of the EU; promotes EU cooperation at a national and regional level (Central Asia) i.e. the management of de-concentrated national and regional programs; and contributes to coordination with EU Member State embassies, particularly in the fields of EU competence, notably trade and external assistance.
