DUSHANBE, June 10, 2015, Asia-Plus — On Wednesday June 10, Tajik President received the European Union Special Representative for Central Asia Peter Burian.
According to the Tajik president’s official website, they discussed prospects of further expansion of cooperation between Tajikistan and European Union.
A special attention was paid to practical implementation of the Partnership and Cooperation Agreement (PCA) between the EU and Tajikistan, the European Union’s Strategy for Central Asia and the Multi-annual Indicative Program 2014-2020 Tajikistan.
The over-riding objective of the multi-annual indicative program is in supporting Tajikistan to reduce poverty and achieve sustainable development, and advance in the overall democratization process and regional stability.
During the 2014-2020 period covered by this Indicative Program, a total EU grant of EUR 251 million is planned for Tajikistan under the Development Cooperation Instrument (DCI), equivalent to an average annual budget of EUR 35 million per year.
Rahmon and Burian also exchanged views on a number of regional and international issues being of mutual interest, including the latest developments in neighboring Afghanistan.
The European Union currently has ten Special Representatives in different countries and regions of the world. Their role is to promote the EU”s interests and play an active role in efforts to consolidate peace, stability and the rule of law. Special Representatives play an important role in the EU’s development of a stronger and more effective common foreign and security policy and in the Union”s efforts to become a more coherent and capable actor on the world stage. The Special Representatives act as the voice and face of the EU and its policies in key countries and regions.
