Brussels, 10/04/2013 (Agence Europe) - During a visit to Brussels on 9-10 April when he met High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Catherine Ashton and the presidents of the European Council, Commission and Parliament, President of Tajikistan Emomali Rahmon said he wanted relations between the EU and his country to be strengthened. “Tajikistan reaffirmed its commitment to cooperation with the EU and its institutions on the progress of reforms, the development of economic and trading links, on the improvement of its social and humanitarian relations, and the promotion of cooperation on security”, he said. “I believe that cooperation on a wide basis with the countries of the EU is an important factor in being economically self-sufficient, generating democracy in Tajikistan”, he added. In Rahmon's view, there is a “common aspiration to strengthen relations between the EU and Tajikistan”. Stating that the EU is a major partner for Tajikstan, Rahmon underlined that relations with the EU are a priority in his country's foreign policy.
For their part, the European leaders hailed Tajikistan's accession to the World Trade Organisation on 2 March 2013. President of the European Council Herman Van Rompuy said he believed this would stimulate economic growth and economic relations with the EU - although the EU is already one of the Tajikistan's main trading partners. In the view of President of the European Commission José Manuel Barroso, although bilateral trade increased by 43% in 2012, there is still “huge potential” for further exchanges and economic activity between the EU and Tajikistan.
Reiterating that it is necessary to continue reforms to improve the rule of law, good governance and the economy, with the improvement of the investment and business climate, Van Rompuy underlined that it was important that more attention be paid to the social sectors - including education and health services. He said that Tajikistan needs to ensure the protection of human rights - particularly the freedoms of association and religion - just as Ashton had stated the previous day.
The issues of the environment and water management, as well as energy and Afghanistan (with which Tajikistan shares 1,300 kilometres of borders) were tackled during the various meetings. “It is important to strengthen cooperation between the neighbouring countries”, the European leaders stated, supported by Rahmon. Ashton, like Barroso and Van Rompuy, reiterated that the EU is committed to contributing to border management and to tackling drug trafficking (our translation throughout). (CG/transl.fl)