The European Union and Tajikistan held their fourth Cooperation Council meeting to discuss further cooperation. The EU announced €251 million in new development funding for Tajikistan from 2014 to 2020 focused on rural development, health, and education. The Council reaffirmed both parties' commitment to strengthen relations and cooperation in various areas. The EU called for ensuring inclusive and transparent elections in Tajikistan and supporting economic reforms to further integrate the country into the world economy.

1. IP/14/1177
EUROPEAN COMMISSION
PRESS RELEASE
Luxembourg, 20 October 2014
Fourth meeting of the Cooperation Council between the
European Union and the Republic of Tajikistan – EU
announces further support for development
The European Union (EU) and the Republic of Tajikistan held their fourth Cooperation
Council meeting on 20 October 2014. The meeting was chaired by Mr Benedetto Della
Vedova, Undersecretary of State at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International
Cooperation of Italy, as the head of the EU delegation. The delegation of Tajikistan was led
by Mr Sirodjidin Aslov, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Tajikistan.
During the Cooperation Council, the European Commission also announced new
development funding of €251 million to Tajikistan for the period 2014-2020. The funds will
focus on vital sectors for growth and social stability, such as rural development, health,
and education.
EU Commissioner for Development, Andris Piebalgs, said: "Development support is still
vital for much of the Tajikistan population. We are committed to achieving the greatest
possible results of every euro spent, and that is why we have defined our priorities in close
discussions with the government. Ultimately, we hope to create the conditions for the
country to become self-reliant."
The Cooperation Council reaffirmed the commitment of both parties to strengthen
relations in a number of cooperation areas and took stock of the progress made since the
third Cooperation Council between the EU and the Republic of Tajikistan in October 2013.
The Cooperation Council 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 in the EU regional initiatives for Central Asia.
Developments were discussed as regards concrete flagship initiatives, such as on the Rule
of Law, Education and Environment.
The Cooperation Council also discussed a number of issues of importance to both parties,
notably political and administrative reforms, rule of law and human rights, trade and
economic relations. The EU called upon the necessity for ensuring inclusive and
transparent elections and for long term political stability in the country.
The Cooperation Council emphasised the importance for Tajikistan to further integrate into
the world economy, including the necessity to improve the business and investment
climate and to take forward economic reforms.
The Cooperation Council discussed regional and international issues, underlining the
importance of regional cooperation in Central Asia and with neighboring Afghanistan. The
EU appreciates Tajikistan's role in the regional cooperation, notably in the areas of border
management, customs, trade facilitation and counter narcotics.

2. The Cooperation Council called on the Central Asian partners to search for a sustainable
settlement regarding to energy, water management and environment issues in the region,
underling the need for an integrated approach to water resource management taking into
account the interest of all Central Asian people.
Further EU support for the development of Tajikistan
The signature of the development programme (known as Multiannual Indicative
Programme), between European Commissioner for Development, Andris Piebalgs, and the
Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Tajikistan, Sirodjidin Aslov, was finalised in
the margins of the EU-Tajikistan Cooperation Council.
The EU will thus focus its support to Tajikistan in the next seven years on:
• rural development (€110 million)
• health (€62.2million)
• education and vocational training (€75 million)
Development Commissioner, Andris Piebalgs, signed the Multiannual Indicative
Programme for Tajikistan in Brussels on 17 October 2014, in the presence of Mr
Rustamjon Soliev, Ambassador from Tajikistan. In the margins of the EU-Tajikistan
Cooperation Council, the Tajik Minister of Foreign Affairs counter-signed the document.
What is a Multiannual Indicative Programme?
Multiannual Indicative Programmes (MIPs) represent an important step in the
programming of EU aid under the Development Cooperation Instrument (DCI). EU
Member States agreed in 2013 the overall amount for development cooperation that will
be channelled to Latin America, Asia, Central Asia, the Middle-East and South Africa under
the DCI during the next financing period 2014-2020 (total amount €19.6 billion).
In parallel, the preparations of a MIP for each of these countries started, defining the
strategy and priorities for EU aid. These preparations are done in close cooperation with
the partner countries in close consultation with other development partners (e.g. donors,
civil society, private sector, etc.) so as to ensure that MIPs support national priorities
where the EU has an added value.
For more information
EU-Tajikistan relations: http://eeas.europa.eu/tajikistan/index_en.htm
Website of the European Commissioner for Development, Andris Piebalgs:
http://ec.europa.eu/commission_2010-2014/piebalgs/index_en.htm
Website of DG Development and Cooperation - EuropeAid:
http://ec.europa.eu/europeaid/index_en.htm
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