DUSHANBE, 24.01.2017. /NIAT «Khovar»/. Today, at the Palace of the Nation, the Founder of Peace and National Unity — Leader of the Nation, President of the Republic of Tajikistan, His Excellency Emomali Rahmon received the European Union Special Representative (EUSR) for Central Asia, Ambassador Peter Burian.

The two sides talked over current state and prospects of further expansion of bilateral and multilateral cooperation between Tajikistan and the European Union (EU) in the areas of shared interest.

The two sides appraised the current level of relations between Tajikistan and the European Union and expressed satisfaction with the trend marking expansion of political, economic and cultural cooperation.

It was stressed that the Tajik side has made great efforts to further develop and expand friendly and active cooperation with the EU and to leverage their resources through EU – Tajikistan Partnership Cooperation Agreement, the dialogue on political and security cooperation, in the field of human rights, Committee on cooperation in the sphere of economic relations and inter-parliamentary relations.

Both sides also exchanged views on issues related to multilateral cooperation within the framework of the European Union and Central Asia, the multi-annual indicative program for period up to 2020 and the EU Regional Strategy for Tajikistan.

It was also expressed satisfaction with the growth of trade turnover between Tajikistan and the European Union. The sides also exchanged views on deepening ties in the way of reducing the impact of the global financial crisis on the economy of Tajikistan.

Particular attention was paid to further expansion of cooperation in the fields of education and science, and in this regard the sides stressed the need for training qualified personnel in the fields of exact sciences and new technologies.

The meeting also exchanged views on a number of international and regional issues being of mutual interest, including regional security and the current military and political situation in Afghanistan and the growth of the threat of international terrorism and extremism.