DUSHANBE, July 21, 2008, Asia-Plus  -- A ceremonial reception on occasion of opening of a new building of the German Embassy in Dushanbe was held on July 18.  

Expressing gratitude to engineers, technicians and builders for high-quality work, German Ambassador to Tajikistan, Mr. Rainer Muller, called the new building “a joint Tajik-German facility.”  

It is evidence of the fact that Germany will remain reliable partner of Tajikistan in the future as well and will do all in its power to promote further expansion of bilateral cooperation within the framework of the European Union’s Strategy, Mr. Ambassador stressed. 

Reminding that the new strategy of the European Union for Central Asian was adopted last year under the chairmanship of Germany, Mr. Muller expressed confidence that a new impulse will be given to further expansion of cooperation between the European Union and the Central Asian region under France’s rotating presidency of the European Union.    

            Mr. Muller noted that his tenure as Ambassador to Tajikistan is ending and he is moving from Central Asia to Central Africa.  “We have gained many good friends in Tajikistan during my tenure in the country,” German diplomat said.  Continuing this subject, Mrs. Muller recited quatrain by founder of Tajik-Persian classical literature, Abu Adbullo Roudaki, about friendship in German.  

            Speaking at the reception, Foreign Minister Hamrokhon Zarifi reminded that Germany was among the first to open diplomatic mission in Tajikistan.  Expressing gratitude to Germany for assistance provided to Tajikistan, the minister welcomed participation of chairman of the Germany-Central Asia parliamentary cooperation committee at the ceremony. 

Noting that bilateral Tajik-German relations in many spheres at now at high level, Zarifi said that Germany provides considerable assistance to Tajikistan within the framework of the new European Union’s strategy fro Central Asia, including and water and energy problems.  

The reception participants included representatives of political parties, known Tajik artistes and scientists, activists of the Friendship Society, heads of ethnic communities, as well as representatives of diplomatic mission and organizations accredited in Tajikistan and media.