DUSHANBE, January 10, 2009, Asia-Plus — The outgoing British Ambassador to Tajikistan, Mr. Graeme Loten, said that he was leaving Tajikistan with regret.
Mr. Loten told reporters at a farewell new briefing on January 9 that he was appointed as Ambassador to Tajikistan in July 2004 for two years but on expiry of the term in 2006, he asked the British Government to extend his tenure to Tajikistan.
“At present I am the most “long-lived” ambassador in Dushanbe as I have been here for already four years and seven months,” he said, noting that during his diplomatic service in Tajikistan he visited almost all regions of the country and got acquainted with Tajikistan’s reality.
“I feel good opening and changes to the better are outlined in this country,” said British diplomat, “Tourism and business are developing, and cooperation between institutions of civic society and public institutions is expanding.”
Mr. Loten noted that during his tenure to Tajikistan he had managed to realize important projects practically in all socially significant spheres of life.
“I am pleased with my stay in this country and hope that in the future I will return to Tajikistan as tourist,” Ambassador Loten said.
Outgoing Ambassador Loten met with Foreign Minister Hamrokhon Zarifi on January 7 and in the near future, he will bids farewell to President Rahmon at the end of his tenure to Tajikistan.
Mr. Graeme Neil Loten, 49, was educated at Portsmouth Grammar School and Liverpool University where he graduated in Modern Languages (French, German and Dutch).
He entered the Diplomatic Service in 1981. His first posting was as Private Secretary to the British Ambassador to NATO in Brussels from 1983 to 1986. He then served as Third Secretary (Aid) in Khartoum from 1986 to 1987 and as a Second Secretary (Economic and Agricultural Affairs) in The Hague from 1988 to1992. In 1993 Mr. Loten was posted to Almaty as Deputy Head of Mission accredited both to Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan. In 1998, he was appointed as Her Majesty’s (HM) Ambassador to Rwanda and as the non-resident Ambassador to Burundi until 2001. He served as HM Ambassador to Mali from 2001 and 2003, and then took six months out of the Diplomatic Service to do voluntary work with the Anglican Church in Cyangugu, Rwanda. Mr. Loten was appointed as HM Ambassador to Tajikistan in July 2004.
We will recall that Mr. Trevor Moore was appointed HM Ambassador to Tajikistan in succession to Mr. Graeme Loten. Mr. Moore will take up his appointment during January 2009.
