DUSHANBE, May 7, 2009, Asia-Plus  -- Bilateral cooperation between Tajikistan and France as well as rational use of water resources in Central Asia in connection with the Aral Sea problems were a major topic of a meeting of Foreign Minister Hamrokhon Zarifi with French Ambassador to Tajikistan Henry Zipper de Fabiani that was held in Dushanbe on May 7, according to the MFA information department.

During the meeting It was noted that environment, rational use of water resources and development of hydropower were priorities of cooperation between the European Union and Central Asia.  In this connection, they pointed to the necessity of establishment of cooperation and constructive dialogue between the countries of the region for solution of problems existing in that sphere.

It was noted that development of hydropower resources of Tajikistan as alternative, renewable and ecologically pure source of energy was in interest of the Central Asian region as a whole, the information department aid.

The sides expressed satisfaction with the pace of implementation of the project for construction of a new terminal at the Dushanbe airport.  The project is implemented under financial support of the French Government.