DUSHANBE, July 6, 2009, Asia-Plus — The United States does not plan to reduce volumes of aid to Tajikistan during the global financial crisis, visiting U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs Robert Blake remarked at a meeting with reporters today, following his talks with President Emomali Rahmon.
According to him, Tajikistan is a large recipient of the U.S. foreign aid in the Central Asian region and “the United States does not plan to reduce the volumes of aid.”
Our cooperation is mainly aimed at ensuring an efficient fight against terrorism, elicit drug trafficking and strengthening of border control, Mr. Blake said.
According to him, the United States has launched a new policy in Afghanistan that will allow local farmers to draw more profit from growing agricultural crops, giving up cultivation of narcotic-containing plants and production of narcotics.
He also noted that he and President Rahmon had discussed the current issues and prospects of further expansion of bilateral cooperation between the United States and Tajikistan. “We, in particular, touched upon issues related to development of democracy, freedom of speech and freedom of religion in Tajikistan,” Mr. Blake said.
Today afternoon, the U.S. Assistant Secretary of State is scheduled to meet with a group of Tajik journalists in Dushanbe.
Robert Blake was appointed as the new Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asia Affairs in April this year, replacing Richard Boucher.
