On Thursday April 15, Tajik Foreign Minister Sirojiddin Muhriddin received has received Sweden’s Foreign Minister and the OSCE Chairperson-in-Office, Ms. Ann Linde the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Sweden - the Chairperson-in-Office of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) Ms. Ann Linde, who is on her working visit to Dushanbe, according to the Tajik MFA information department.

During the meeting, the two reportedly discussed a wide range of issues related to bilateral and multilateral cooperation with Sweden, as well as interactions within the OSCE.

The parties also exchanged views on the situation in the region and Afghanistan.

Muhriddin and Linde underscored the importance to mutually counter the modern challenges, such as the impact of COVID-19 on the economy, climate change, the fight against terrorism and extremism, drug trafficking and cybercrime.

Tajik foreign minister noted that Tajikistan considers the OSCE as an important platform for constructive dialogue and is interested in expanding relations with the Organization in all three dimensions – the military-political, the economic-environmental and the human.

Within the framework of bilateral relations, the parties expressed their readiness to use ample opportunities to intensify cooperation in the fields of economy and trade, education, security, and climate change, the Tajik MFA information department said.

The OSCE Programme Office in Dushanbe promotes the implementation of OSCE principles and commitments.  With a special emphasis on the regional context, it assists Tajikistan in tackling problems and threats to security, supports conflict prevention and crisis management measures.  As such, it works in areas such as border management, police reform, counter-terrorism and small arms and light weapons stockpiling and storage.  The Programme Office also supports the country in developing free trade, good governance, environmental protection and water and energy security.  The Programme Office supports the development of the rule of law and democratic political institutions and processes, including the respect for human rights.