DUSHANBE, March 25, 2011, Asia-Plus – Rustamjon Soliyev, Tajikistan’s Ambassador to the Kingdom of Belgium also Head of Tajikistan’s Mission to the European Union and the NATO, presented his credentials to the President of the European Commission Jose Manuel Barroso on the eve of the Navrouz Holiday, according to the Tajik MFA information department.
In the course of the talks, Jose Manuel Barroso positively assessed the multi-aspect cooperation between the European Union and Tajikistan and noted that establishment of the EU-Tajikistan Cooperation Committee and the EU-Tajikistan Parliamentary Cooperation Committee would paved the way for further development of bilateral relations.
Rustamjon Soliyev, for his part, appreciated the European Union’s political, economic and technical support for Tajikistan.
Tajik diplomat informed Mr. Barroso of achievements made by Tajikistan over the years of independence and drew his attention to a key role of Tajikistan in providing regional security, combating terrorism, extremism and drug trafficking. Soliyev underlined the necessity of intensification of the European Union’s support for Tajikistan in those areas and wider use of the country’s potential for reconstruction of Afghanistan’s economy.
The MFA information department also reports the Tajik Embassy in Brussels held an event dedicated to the International Day of Navrouz. The event participants included Tajiks living in Belgium, the Netherlands and Luxembourg as well as MPs and known researchers, politicians, cultural workers and businesspeople from these countries.
Belgian Senator Rik Daems congratulated those present on the Navrouz holiday. Noting dynamics of expansion of multi-aspect cooperation between the European Union and Tajikistan, Mr. Daems noted that Tajikistan was a reliable partner of the West in the region, the source said.
Belgian senator noted that in his opinion, the EU must invest more actively in Tajikistan’s economy, especially in mining and energy potential of the country. He stressed that democratic system of the country, favorable investment climate and high level of security are good conditions for these purposes, the MFA information department noted.
