DUSHANBE, July 20, 2012, Asia-Plus — Ambassador Patricia Flor, the European Union (EU) Special Representative for Central Asia, will arrive in Dushanbe tomorrow for a three-day visit, the Tajik MFA information department said.
During her stay in Tajikistan, Ambassador Flor is scheduled to hold talks with President Emomali Rahmon and some other high-ranking Tajik state officials. Ms. Flor will also meet with representatives of civil society of Tajikistan.
The Council of the European Union appointed Patricia Flor as EU Special Representative for Central Asia on June 25.
Mrs. Flor is a senior German diplomat with almost 20 years” experience who has focused her career extensively on the countries of the former Soviet Union, in particular Central Asia. Since March 2011, she has been Germany”s Special Envoy for Eastern Europe, Caucasus and Central Asia.
Mrs. Flor took office on July 1, 2012, with her mandate initially running until June 30, 2013. She is the second woman to be appointed as EU Special Representative.
The task of the EU Special Representative is to promote good relations between the EU and Central Asian countries and to strengthen stability, cooperation, democracy and respect for human rights in the region. In particular, the EU Special Representative coordinates EU action in Central Asia and oversees the implementation of the EU Strategy for Central Asia.
In an interview with RFE/RL correspondent Rikard Jozwiak, asked about her view of the current situation in Tajikistan, Mrs. Flor said on July 2 that Tajikistan urgently needs to focus on economic and social development. “It comes along with civil rights — because if you look at human rights, economic and social rights are part of that. I understand that for many people that if it”s about not having heating in the winter or not having enough income to sustain your family, then this is a priority concern. For Tajikistan, which is really the poorest [country] in the region, this should really be one of the main policy goals for the future,” said Ambassador Flor. “I believe that would work better the more you have everyone participating — so, the more you have local government and the possibility for regions to better decide what is beneficial for them, the better you can then sustain social and economic development.”
