DUSHANBE, November 17, Asia-Plus  -- Issues related to use of Tajikistan’s water and energy to promote further economic growth and sustainable development in the Central Asian region were major topics of Tajik Foreign Minister Hamrokhon Zarifi’s discussions with EU Commissioner for External Relations and European Neighborhood Benita Ferrero-Waldner in Berlin.  

According to information posted on an official website of Tajik MFA, during the talks that were held in Berlin on November 13 on sidelines of sidelines of a conference entitled “Central Asia and Europe:: New Economic Partnership for the 21st Century” the sides discussed state and prospects of further expansion of cooperation between Tajikistan and the European Union (EU) as well as a progress of implementation of the border management program in Tajikistan.  

On the border management issue and creation of conditions for development of border trade, the sides underlined the importance of coordination of the BOMCA project and the necessity of providing further technical and financial assistance to Tajik and Afghan border and customs services.   They also pointed to the necessity of joint elaboration and implementation of projects aimed at development of transport infrastructure in Tajikistan and Afghanistan as well as improving living conditions of the population of border areas.

Concerning Tajikistan’s proposal to open Central Asian Research Institute for Alternate and Renewable Energy Sources in Dushanbe, Ms. Ferrero-Waldner noted that problem of rational use of water and energy resources remains one of topical issues of further development and strengthening of regional cooperation in Central Asia, Tajik MFA said.  She expressed hope that a group of independent experts will be set up to consider and develop this initiative of Tajikistan.           

The same day, Zarifi met with German Federal Foreign Minister Dr Frank-Walter Steinmeier.  The two considered issues related to bilateral cooperation between Tajikistan and Germany. 

During the meeting it was noted that economic potentials of Germany and Tajikistan have not yet been realized completely to expand bilateral trade and economic cooperation between the two countries and there is considerable room for expansion of economic ties.  They pointed to the necessity of determining specific plan of cooperation.  

Tajik minister expressed hope that German investors will participate more actively in implementation of economic development projects in Tajikistan and briefed his German counterpart on concrete projects joint implementation of which could promote further expansion of regional cooperation, provide stability and facilitate reconstruction of Afghanistan’s economy. 

Zarifi also proposed to hold the next meeting of the EU Troika and Central Asia in Dushanbe in the first half-year of 2008.  

The conference “Central Asia and Europe:: New Economic Partnership for the 21st Century” was the first major international gathering to review prospects for partnership in the region since the adoption of the Central Asia strategy by the European Union earlier this year.

We will recall that through its new Strategy for Central Asia and the Commission’s assistance program for the period of 2007-2013, the European Union (EU) defines the priorities for its cooperation with each Central Asian state according to its specific needs, requirements and performance, including human rights, good governance, democracy and social development.  Within the new external assistance instruments based on the EU-budget 2007-2013 the EU has planned to double the financial means for assisting Central Asian States.  Building upon and complementing the Commission’s assistance program, Member States of the EU are prepared to study specific bilateral partnership and twinning programs with individual Central Asian States as well as programs with a regional dimension based on an adequate and coordinated needs-assessment.  Member States will support the Community’s programs to contribute to a more coherent and visible EU policy in the region.