Tajikistan: European Union Boosting its Presence in Dushanbe

The European Union is undertaking an initiative in Tajikistan designed to bolster human rights and the rule-of-law in the Central Asian nation.

EU and Tajik government explored a variety of issues -- including women's rights, judicial independence, religious liberty and freedom of speech -- during their inaugural Human Rights Dialogue, held on October 31 in Dushanbe, the European Commission announced. An EC strategy paper for Central Asia, adopted in 2007, calls for regular human rights meetings with all of the five Central Asian states. The event in Dushanbe followed a similar human-rights-focused discussion in Bishkek on October 27-28, involving EU and Kyrgyz officials.

A European Commission statement noted that the discussions in Dushanbe occurred in a "constructive atmosphere" that allowed for the "consideration of possibilities for concrete cooperation." The statement went on to say that the dialogue would enable the EU "to provide analysis and recommendations, share practices, and render assistance in terms of Human Rights improvements to Tajikistan."

The two sides agreed to hold a human rights seminar in Dushanbe in the near future, involving civil society representatives from Tajikistan and the EU. Meanwhile, the second human rights dialogue was scheduled for 2009.

The EC delegation in Dushanbe was led by Jacques Pellet, head of the French Foreign Ministry's Division for Human Rights, Humanitarian and Social Affairs. Yusuf Salimov, a top presidential aide, headed the Tajik delegation at the discussions.

The European Commission has sought to significantly enhance its presence in Tajikistan in 2008. Under the EC's strategic development document, covering the years 2007 through 2013, Tajikistan stands to receive 43 million euros in assistance for 2009-2010. That total represents nearly a 100 percent increase over the aid allocated during 2007-2008.