DUSHANBE, June 11, Asia-Plus - The Tajik Agreement on Peace and National Reconciliation and its significance for Tajikistan was the focus of a June 8 meeting, dedicated to the tenth anniversary of the Agreement.

"Ten years after signing a successful Peace Agreement in June 1997, Tajikistan has changed remarkably," said Klaus Rasmussen, Acting Head of the OSCE Center, which organized the event. "In the mid-1990s, the country was in the midst of civil war and on the brink of economic, social and humanitarian collapse. Today, the Government of Tajikistan has achieved a level of stability, enabling it to focus on strengthening democracy and pursuing economic development."

"The OSCE has contributed to this outstanding transformation," he added. "Tajikistan became a participating State of the Conference for Security and Co-operation in Europe (CSCE) in 1992. Since the CSCE Mission to Tajikistan was established in early 1994, the Organization has been co-operating closely with the Government in building a lasting peace and promoting stability," Rasmussen added.

The Acting Head of Center also outlined the results of a joint OSCE-Tajik Task Force, which met on 27 March 2007 in Dushanbe to identify Tajikistan''s priorities and needs and ensure that they are reflected in the OSCE''s future activities in the country. "In response to the wish of the Tajik Government, the Center in Dushanbe has proposed enhancing activities in the Economic and Environmental dimension at the regional level," he said.

The event was part of an OSCE-supported project to develop dialogue between the authorities and civil society. It brought together some 70 government officials, representatives of political parties, media and national minorities and members of non-governmental and international organizations.

The General Agreement on Peace and National Reconciliation in Tajikistan was signed by representatives of the Tajik Government and the United Tajik Opposition in Moscow on 27 June 1997. The Agreement put an end to the 1992-97 civil war in the country.