03/06/2019 (Agence Europe) – On Thursday 30 May, the President of the European Council, Donald Tusk, encouraged the President of Tajikistan, Emomalii Rahmon, to improve the protection of human rights in his country. “The highest goal of every politician is to ensure security, but also human rights and freedoms. To achieve that, strength, courage and good will are needed. You have it all, Mr President”, he said during a trip to the country. Mr Tusk also confirmed that the EU was “ready to improve Tajikistan's access to European markets as soon as the necessary conditions are met.” The country, which already benefits from the Generalised Scheme of Preferences (GSP), could join the GSP+ programme. The two presidents also discussed the prospect of negotiating a new bilateral agreement while both sides are bound by a Partnership and Cooperation Agreement. (CG)