DUSHANBE, January 11, Asia-Plus, – On January 1, Germany took over the presidency of the European Union.
On this occasion, German Ambassador to Tajikistan Rainer Muller today met with journalists in Dushanbe to outline the EU’s priorities during the Germany’s presidency.
Highlights included relations between the European Union and Central Asia, seeking ways of drumming up European investments in enhancement of infrastructure in the Central Asian region, increase in funds for providing assistance to Central Asia, etc.
Muller called relations between the European Union and Central Asia a long “love story” that will last eternally. According to him, relations between Europe and Central Asia started in the time of Marco Polo already, who was the first Westeners to travel the Silk Road to China. Muller noted that during its presidency of the European Union, Germany will give a new impulse to further development of relations between Europe and Central Asia’s countries.
According to him, the main directions and priorities of the European Union’s strategy for Central Asia will be further expansion of cooperation and rendering assistance in improvement of political situation and providing security and stability in the region.
“This strategy will not hurt the third countries and we are not going to play any geopolitical game here,” said the diplomat, “We have common interests here and we will implement them.” According to him, a meeting of foreign ministers in a format 3+5 (foreign minister of the country presiding over the EU, foreign minister of the country will take over the presidency of the EU on July 1, 2007, representative of the European Commission and five Central Asian foreign ministers) will be organized. They will meet once or twice a year to discuss issues related to stability, democratization of society, observance of human rights and ensuring primacy of law in the region. Muller stressed that during these meetings the European Union will not preach the countries of the region at what they should do to reach democracy. “The first foreign ministers’ meeting is scheduled for March this year,” Muller said.
On the ways to drum up European investments in development of the region, the diplomat noted that political leadership and business environment are of important significance for any investor.
“Tajikistan ought to pay serious attention to development of the investment climate,” said Muller, “The country’s government has done a lot for improving it, however it is still a lot to be done.” He also pointed to the necessity of combating corruption. “We welcome the creation of a special agency in Tajikistan to fight corruption; it is an important step towards improvement of the investment climate in the country,” German Ambassador said.
Muller noted that the European Union is one of the main donors for Central Asia’s countries. “Since 1991, the European Union has provided Euro 400 million worth of assistance to Tajikistan,” said the diplomat, “Germany alone has provided assistance for a total amount of 100 million euros and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) for 66 million euros.”
