Dushanbe, 13.10.2016. /NIAT “Khovar”/. The European Union and the Republic of Tajikistan held their fifth Cooperation Committee meeting on October 11, 2016. The Cooperation Committee reaffirmed the commitment of both parties to strengthen relations in the framework of the Partnership and Cooperation Agreement (PCA) and took stock of the progress made since the fourth Committee meeting on June 10, 2015.

The Cooperation Committee reiterated the importance of a comprehensive implementation of the EU Strategy for Central Asia, both on a regional and national basis, and welcomed Tajikistan´s active engagement.

During the Cooperation Committee, the European Union confirmed its continued support of the efforts of Tajik authorities to address the economic and financial difficulties. It also reaffirmed its commitment to continue development cooperation with Tajikistan. Bilateral development programmes with funding of 251 million EUR for the period of 2014-2020, will support reforms in vital sectors of rural development, health and education aiming at economic growth and private sector development and ensuring social stability. Both parties agreed on the establishment of Sub-Committee on development cooperation that will allow improved review of our development cooperation priorities and programmes.

Finally, the Cooperation Committee emphasized the importance for Tajikistan to further integrate into the world economy and to improve the overall business climate, with a view to attracting more EU companies as well as more foreign direct investment.

The Cooperation Committee meeting was chaired by Luc Devigne, Director at the European External Action Service, as the head of the EU delegation. The delegation of Tajikistan was led by Saidrahmon Nazrizoda, First Deputy Minister for Economic Development and Trade of the Republic of Tajikistan.