DUSHANBE, December 18, Asia-Plus – Bilateral cooperation between Tajikistan and France in various spheres was major topic of President Rahmonov’s discussions with French Defense Minister Michele Alliot-Marie in Dushanbe on December 18.
After the meeting with Rahmonov, Alliot-Marie told journalists that ties between the two countries have expanded over the past four years since a contingent of France’s Air Force was deployed at the Dushanbe airport. This has allowed developing bilateral military cooperation as well as expanding cultural and economic ties between the two countries, according to the minister.
According to her, President Jacques Chirac has proposed to create a contact group in Afghanistan to fight Taliban; that is French troops deployed in Afghanistan are expected to be re-grouped.
On prospects of presence of the French troops in Afghanistan, Michele Alliot-Marie said that strength of French military personnel in Afghanistan will remain unchanged; they will be just re-grouped. “We will change distribution of forces in order that they will be deployed across the whole territory of Afghanistan,” said the minister, “Thus, we will withdraw sub-units from Jelalabad, and a special military school for Afghan servicemen will be set up in Kabul; French specialists will work with this school”
She also stressed that they plan to reinforce the French forces that are directly participating in the anti-Taliban operations. According to her, two other helicopters will be sent to Afghanistan. “I also permitted French troops deployed in Kabul to assist the coalition forces outside the city, as well as extended the term of deployment of French Air Force’s aircraft, which support military operations from the air or conduct aerial reconnaissance,” the French defense minister said.
Besides, France also plans to help Afghanistan creatte its military-medical service and special gendarmerie, according to her.
Dwelling on economic cooperation between France and Tajikistan, Alliot-Marie noted that during her meeting with President Rahmonov the issue related to reconstruction of the Dushanbe airport was touched upon. “I presented my proposals on rehabilitation of the airport,” said the minister, “Experts will arrive in Dushanbe in the near future to study and discuss this issue.”
Commenting on the amount offered for reconstruction of the Dushanbe airport, she noted that her ministry may provide a grant of seven million euros for this project and the French government may provide 17 million euros in preferential loan. “These funds may be used both for the construction of new terminal and for the reconstruction of stopping places,” the minister said.
