Financial credit organizations of Tajikistan have been removed from the European Union’s sanctions list, Asia-Plus was informed by the press service of the National Bank of Tajikistan.
“As a result of dialogue and cooperation between the relevant bodies of the Republic of Tajikistan and European partners, a favorable basis was created for reviewing the previously imposed restrictions,” the Tajik financial regulator noted.
The NBT emphasized that the European Commission, within the framework of its decision dated April 23, 2026, which pertains to the 20th package of EU sanctions, removed three financial credit organizations of the country: Closed Joint-Stock Company (CJSC) Spitamen Bonk, CJSC Dushanbe City Bank, and Openen Joint-Stock Company (OJSC) Kommertsbonki Tojikiston (Commercial Bank of Tajikistan), which were part of the 19th sanctions package, from the sanctions list.
The National Bank assesses this decision as a “direct result of the expansion of cooperation between regulatory bodies and ministries, as well as departments of the country with the European Commission, the implementation of international compliance standards, and the strengthening of the system to combat money laundering from criminal activities.”
The regulator believes that this initiative will give a positive impetus to the further development of the banking system, increase investor confidence, and expand financial services in the country.
“The National Bank of Tajikistan will also continue implementing reforms, increasing transparency, strengthening the internal control system, and ensuring the compliance of the banking system’s activities with international standards,” the NBT concluded.
The document on the amendment of Regulation ((EU) No 833/2014 of April 23, 2026), “concerning restrictive measures in view of Russia’s actions destabilizing the situation in Ukraine,” is published on the official EU website.
What were Tajik banks accused of?
Recall, sanctions against the three Tajik banks were imposed as part of the 19th package of EU restrictions against Russia and came into effect on November 12 of last year. The restrictions affected OJSC Kommertsbonki Tojikiston, CJSC Spitamen Bonk, and CJSC Dushanbe City Bank.
In an official statement from the EU Council, it was mentioned a ban on transactions with a number of banks and companies from third countries, which, according to Brussels’ assessment, could contribute to circumventing anti-Russian sanctions. This referred to structures from Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, the UAE, and Hong Kong.
However, in the public part of the EU’s decision, specific episodes or transaction amounts were not disclosed. The wording was general – “assistance in circumventing sanctions” and “support for the Russian economy.” Detailed materials, as is usually the case in EU sanctions practice, remained in confidential files.
The authorities of Tajikistan made efforts to lift the sanctions, providing additional guarantees and information confirming that the financial operations of Tajik banks comply with international standards.
The European Union, in turn, showed readiness to review the sanctions, assessing changes in the financial activities of the banks, as well as Tajikistan’s efforts in improving internal financial regulation.
