Brussels, 12/06/2015 (Agence Europe) - The European Commission has reaffirmed its commitment to provide new development funding of €251 million to Tajikistan for the period 2014-2020.
This funding will focus on sectors that are crucial for growth and social stability - such as rural development, health and education. “Such support is becoming more urgent, owing to adverse economic developments in Central Asia, such as the fall in foreign remittances from migrant workers in Russia”, the European External Action Service (EEAS) said in a press release on Wednesday 10 June, which was published at the end of the EU-Tajikistan Cooperation Committee.
The Cooperation Committee also reaffirmed the commitment of both parties to strengthen relations in a number of cooperation areas, and reiterated the importance of a comprehensive implementation of the EU Strategy for Central Asia, both on a regional and national basis. The two parties also discussed political and administrative reforms, trade and economic relations, environmental issues, education, border security, and the rule of law and human rights.
On 11 June, the EU and Tajikistan held the seventh annual dialogue session on human rights, during which they discussed elections, the freedom of expression, women's rights, torture, religious freedom and the situation of civil society. Although Tajikistan has made progress in this area, the EU nevertheless expressed its concern with regard to the pressure put on independent journalists, the blocking of social media, the shortcomings observed during the parliamentary elections in March (see EUROPE 11266) and the legislative proposals that reportedly place new requirements on civil society organisations. (Camille-Cerise Gessant)