DUSHANBE, May 30, 2009, Asia-Plus  -- Tajikistan attaches important significance to expansion of cooperation with European Union (EU), Tajik Foreign Minister Hamrokhon Zarifi stated at a bilateral meeting of the EU Troika with Tajik delegation in Dushanbe on May 29, according to the MFA information department.

He noted that cooperation with the EU was one of priorities of Tajikistan’s foreign policy.  According to him, holding of the EU – Central Asia meeting was of great importance for further development of partnership and cooperation between the European Union and Central Asia  as well as for practical implementation of the EU Strategy for Central Asia.

State and prospects of further expansion of political, economic, ecological and humanitarian cooperation between Tajikistan and the European Union were a major topic of the meeting of the Tajik delegation with the EU Troika.

The sides also discussed various aspects of regional cooperation and impact of the global financial crisis on economy, trade and migration, interaction in the field of energy and water resources management, environment as well as border management and the fight against drug trafficking.  They also touched upon international issues being of mutual interest, the MFA information department said.