DUSHANBE, June 25, 2013, Asia-Plus -- The European Union (EU) Special Representative for Central Asia, Ambassador Patricia Flor, paid a two-day visit to Tajikistan on June 21-22, press reels issued by the EU Delegation to Tajikistan on June 24 says.

On 21 June, she met Foreign Minister Zarifi, Chairman of Lower House of Parliament Zuhurov, Chairman of the Central Commission for Elections and Referenda (CCER) Shermahmad Shohiyon and representatives of the political opposition.

During her talks Ambassador Flor reportedly discussed political and security issues, also in view of developments in neighboring Afghanistan, as well as regional cooperation in Central Asia.  She exchanged opinions with her interlocutors on the situation of the rule of law and human rights, including freedom of the media and respect of the rights of the opposition.  She underlined the importance of free and fair elections in November, which will contribute to future stability and development in the country.

She also discussed water and energy issues and highlighted the readiness of the EU to support urgently needed measures in the energy sector such as energy efficiency.

On 22 June, she visited Khorog and met with the governor of Gorno Badakhshan Autonomous Region and the mayor of Khorog.  Ambassador Flor underlined that the EU supports the efforts of the government and the local communities to promote the socio-economic development of Gorno Badakhshan and good cross-border relations with Afghanistan.

Ambassador Flor also met with a mahalla committee and civil society representatives and discussed with them the development issues, as well as situation of women in the country.

The European Union, composed of 28 Member States, is the world’s biggest aid donor.  Tajikistan gets the main share of bilateral assistance in the Central Asian region (€66 million for 2007-2010 and 62 million for 2011-2013) in support to sector programs, technical assistance and grants.  It focuses on social protection, health and private sector development, underpinned by public finance management.  Tajikistan also receives regional and thematic assistance in areas like border management and drug control (BOMCA/CADAP), education (TEMPUS, Erasmus Mundus), water / environment, migration, human rights and democracy (EIDHR), non-State actors (NSA) and SME development (CA-Invest).  The total value of EU assistance disbursed to Tajikistan since 1992 is over €600 million.