DUSHANBE, 24.11.2021 (NIAT Khovar) – Today, Dushanbe hosted a press conference with the participation of the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell, the Commissioner for International Partnerships Jutta Urpilainen and the EU Ambassador to Tajikistan Marilyn Josefsson.

The press conference focused on political, trade, and economic spheres, as well as water, energy, security, the fight against terrorism and extremism, climate change, and the COVID-19 pandemic.

While touching upon the situation in Afghanistan, Borrell noted that the EU is ready to pay special attention to this issue, especially in the protection of the border between Tajikistan and Afghanistan, which is about 1,400 kilometers long.

He also said that the EU is ready to cooperate in the fight against terrorism, extremism, and drug trafficking.

He lauded Tajikistan’s humanitarian assistance to Afghanistan. While Tajikistan supports the creation of an inclusive government in Afghanistan and does not recognize the current authorities, it continues to supply the country with electricity for the benefit of the ordinary people.

Urpilainen said that the EU will allocate €1 billion for the people of Afghanistan as part of its support package.

“The package will consist of several components. The first component is humanitarian aid worth €300 million, the second component is €250 million, which will be directed toward the basic needs of the Afghan people. The third is regional support,” she noted.

“We intend to do this in collaboration with UNICEF, without the recognition of the Taliban or the involving government structures,” Urpilainen added.

Borrell and Urpilainen are in Tajikistan on an official visit to attend a meeting of Central Asian and EU foreign ministers, which was held on November 22 in Dushanbe. They also visited the Norak hydropower plant.