On April 22, The Minister of Foreign Affairs of Tajikistan, Sirojiddin Muhriddin, had a telephone conversation with Dr. Hans Kluge, the World Health Organization (WHO) Regional Director for Europe, according to the Tajik MFA information department.
During the conversation the parties discussed the prevention of the spread of a novel coronavirus (COVID-19), its consequences for the country, as well as the assistance of the World Health Organization to Tajikistan in this area.
The sides reportedly also exchanged views on the forthcoming regional video-conference of the Foreign Ministers on the issue of joint actions to fight the disease.
Recall, an expert mission of the World Health Organization (WHO) is expected to visit Tajikistan and Turkmenistan next week.
Tajikistan and Turkmenistan claim that they have no confirmed COVID-19 cases. These two countries are included in the list of only 11 states marked with white spots on the map of Johns Hopkins University. In the West, they openly say that we can talk about hiding information. In Russia, the official data of the Tajik and Turkmen authorities are viewed with some suspicion, but so far have refrained from making public assessments.
WHO representatives in the Central Asian region admit that there are difficulties in rechecking the dubious results of coronavirus infection tests, but they also refrain from publicly criticizing local authorities.
The WHO expert mission will hold an open briefing to share its assessments of the situation in the region following a visit to both countries.
