DUSHANBE, June 18, 2011, Asia-Plus — On Friday June 17, Tajik Foreign Minister Hamrokhon Zarifi met with Mr. Lionnel Luca, Head of the Geopolitics of Water Mission, National Assembly of France.
According to the Tajik MFA information department, a group of French members of parliament and France’s Ambassador to Tajikistan Henry Zipper de Fabiani attended the meeting.
The sides reportedly discussed a broad range of issues related to bilateral cooperation between Tajikistan and France.
They also touched upon the issues of use of water and irrigation, participation of Tajikistan in international water initiatives, regional cooperation and the problem of usage of water and energy resources as well as a number of international and regional issues being of mutual interest.
Rational use of water and energy resources in the Central Asian region was among major topics of the talks. In this connection, Tajik minister noted that water and energy resources were enough in the region and it was just necessary to develop a common approach to rational use of them with taking into account interests of all the countries of the region. Zarifi reiterated that Tajikistan was ready for a constructive dialogue on that subject.
Tajik foreign minister also briefed French MPs on relations of Tajikistan with the neighboring countries and outlined priorities of cooperation, the source said.
It is to be noted that member of the National Assembly of France Lionnel Luca and Jean Glavany visited the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Uzbekistan on June 15. According to the Uzbek MFA, the sides discussed water-and-energy issues in Central Asia at the request of the French side. It was noted that the problem should be considered based on international law, the Uzbek MFA said.
