DUSHANBE, August 29, 2012, Asia-Plus -- The Ministry of Finance of Tajikistan and the Delegation of the European Union (EU) announce the release of € 6 million and 287.5 thousand budget support tranche to the Republican budget, press release issued by the EU Delegation to Tajikistan on August 29 said.

The release of the payment confirms that the Republic of Tajikistan has met the conditions of the program, i.e. improvements in Public Finance Managements and the implementation of some reform measures in the areas of health and social protection.

The payment is done in the framework of the Human Development Support Program.

This 3-year, over € 26 million program contributes to: i) advancing reforms in service delivery, with a priority on strengthening Primary Health Care, improving governance and financing in health, ii) a more effective pension policy framework and pension administration, iii) an improved efficiency of the public spending in the above mentioned sectors through an improvement of the financial management, accountability and transparency and iv) a structured Public-Private partnership with the active participation of civil society organisations in delivering social care services.

Mr. Safarali Najmiddinov, Tajik Minister of Finance says Tajikistan will make further possible efforts for the successful implementation of the given Program.

Mr. Eduard Auer, Ambassador – Head of the EU Delegation stated that “The disbursement of over € 6 million confirms the continued support of the EU to the Tajikistan Government’s health and social sectors reform strategy and poverty-reduction agenda.”  He added that “the EU Delegation will continue to work closely with the government on key policy reforms, in addition to providing technical assistance to support capacity building strategic institutions.”