DUSHANBE, November 24, 2009, Asia-Plus — New Canadian Amabssador to Tajikistan, Mr. Stephen Millar, presented the credentials to President Emomali Rahmon today.
Speaking to reporters after a meeting with President Rahmon, Ambassador Millar noted that there was a good potential for expansion of bilateral cooperation between Canada and Tajikistan; however it has not been used fully so far.
According to him, the current situation in the Central Asian region and Afghan problems were among major topics of his talks with President Rahmon.
Canada could expand cooperation with Tajikistan in sectors like power engineering and mining, Mr. Millar said, noting that he will take efforts to promote cooperation between the two countries in those directions.
He added that the two countries were actively expanding cooperation in the military-technical cooperation.
Canada is a major donor in the areas of land mine clearance and other mine action programming in Tajikistan. The Government of Canada has been active in these areas in the Republic of Tajikistan for over a decade, working with key partners such as the Tajikistan Mine Action Cell, Swiss Foundation for Mine Action, the nongovernmental organization Harmony of the World and the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE).
Under the auspices of Canada’s Global Partnership Program, both countries are partners in the sphere of weapons of mass destruction (WMD) non-proliferation cooperation. Canada is also supporting extensive regional training and linkages in the field of biosecurity and biosafety. Through the International Science and Technology Center (ISTC) Canada is in a position to fund projects and support other activities to redirect former weapons scientists to peaceful sustainable employment.
In terms of development assistance fro Tajikistan, the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) has provided development assistance to Tajikistan since 1994. As part of this assistance, CIDA has a C$3 million technical assistance program in Tajikistan in partnership with the Aga Khan Foundation (AKF). Canada was the first country to donate funds to the AKF for ongoing reconstruction and development in Tajikistan. In addition, the Canada Fund for Local Initiatives, managed by the Embassy of Canada in Kazakhstan, is available for local development projects.
