DUSHANBE, February 14, Asia-Plus - On Monday February 13, Representative of the European Union to Tajikistan, Adrian Hendrick Van Der Meyer, presented credentials to Tajik President Emomali Rahmonov.

“The meeting with the President of Tajikistan was interesting and rich”, the EU representative told journalists following his meeting with Rahmonov.  “We discussed a number of issues being of mutual interest and determined priorities and main directions of activity.”

According to Van Der Meyer, the European Union intends to continue cooperating with Tajikistan on the issues related to reducing poverty in the republic, providing assistance in the strengthening of patrol of the Tajik-Afghan border, in fighting terrorism and drug trafficking as well as expanding trade cooperation.  

“We are also interested in participation in projects aimed at enhancement of energy and agrarian sectors in Tajikistan ,” EU diplomat noted.  

Information of Asia-Plus: Since 1991, the European Union has provided the following assistance to Tajikistan : through TACIS – 38 million euros; humanitarian aid – 156 million euros; food assistance – 101 million euros; financial assistance – 149 million euros; other assistance – 5.5 million euros.  In 2005 alone, the European Union provided to Tajikistan assistance in an amount of 40 million euros.