DUSHANBE, July 14, 2008, Asia-Plus — The European Union Special Representative for Central Asia, Mr. Pierre Morel, has invited President Emomali Rahmon to attend the European Union – Central Asian forum on the security matters, that will be held in Paris from September 17-18.
Visiting European Union Special Representative for Central Asia, Mr. Pierre Morel, today met with President Emomali Rahmon to discuss cooperation issues.
Speaking to reporters after a meeting with President Rahmon, Mr. Morel said that measures to strengthen regional security had been among major topics of his discussions with the president. According to him, the European Union – Central Asia forum that will be held in Paris from September 17-18 will discuss the security issues and a conference on the border strengthening at the level of foreign ministers issue will be held in Dushanbe from October 21-22. The Dushanbe conference will be staged by the European Union in cooperation with the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE).
The European envoy to Central Asia said that he had invited President Rahmon to attend the EU-CA forum in Paris.
According to him, they also discussed the water-and-energy problems and issues related to mitigating effects of the past difficult winter in Tajikistan.
Asked about a progress of implementation of the European Union Strategy for Central Asia, Mr. Morel said that the strategy is being implemented actively. According to him, the main six components of the strategy include security and threats, energy, transportation, education, enhancement of legal issues, and environmental protection issues.
Dwelling on the food prices rise problems, the European envoy noted that it is global problem based on world market trends and connected with energy problems. “Therefore, it is necessary to organize control, while the most important thing is to increase agricultural production,” Mr. Morel said.
The European Union Special Representative for Central Asia, Mr. Pierre Morel, arrived in Dushanbe on July 14 for a two-day working visit.
