DUSHANBE, May 21, Asia-Plus -- Robert Simmons, the NATO Secretary General’s Special Representative for Central Asia, is expected to arrive in Tajikistan for a working visit on May 22-24, according to Tajik MFA.

 During his stay in Dushanbe, the NATO envoy to Central Asia is scheduled to meet with President Emomali Rahmon, Foreign Minister Hamrokhon Zarifi, Security Council Secretary Amirqul Azimov, as well as heads of Tajikistan’s law enforcement agencies.  

            We will recal that is not the frist fivist of robert Simmons to Tajikistan.  In December 2005, he visited Tajikistan as the Deputy Assistant NATO Secretary General for Security Cooperation and Partnership.  That time, he met with President Emomali Rahmon.  The two discussed issues related to the NATO activities in Central Asia and Tajikistan, cooperation between Tajikistan and the NATO within the framework of the NATO “Partnership for Peace” Program, regional security and joint fight against modern threats.  Robert Simons also took part at the international forum entitled “Regional Cooperation in Fighting Terrorism, Extremism, Drug Trafficking and Organized Crime” that was held in Dushanbe on December 15.