DUSHANBE, April 9, 2011, Asia-Plus -- On Friday April 8, Tajikistan’s Ambassador to the European Union Rustamjon Soliyev presented credentials to European Council President Herman Van Rompuy, according to the Tajik MFA information department.

In the course of the talks, the EU president highly appraised bilateral relations between the European Union and Tajikistan.  He pointed out a reasonable policy of Tajikistan and the country’s readiness for an open dialogue on topical issues, the source said.

According to him, Herman Van Rompuy stressed that Tajikistan was a significant and reliable partner of the European Union in the region.  He also appreciated Tajik government’s support for efforts of the International Security Assistance Forces (ISAF) and the European Union to establish peace and stability in Afghanistan and reconstruct its economy, the source said.

Tajik ambassador, for his part, expressed gratitude to the European Union for support for development of Tajikistan’s economy.

Soliyev noted that Tajikistan played a key role in providing stability in the region and in combating terrorism, radicalism and drug trafficking in Central Asia.

The ambassador also briefed the EU president on achievements gained by Tajikistan in political, economic and social spheres over the years of independence, measures for further strengthening of secular foundation of the country, implementation of programs, in particular in energy sector, as well as Roghun’s construction.  He underlined the importance of Tajikistan’s hydroelectricity projects for development of the region and reconstruction of Afghanistan’s economy.