DUSHANBE, April 2, 2011, Asia-Plus – On Friday Aril 1, Tajik Foreign Minister Hamrokon Zarifi met with Dr. Michael Spindelegger, Austrian Federal Minister for European and International Affairs, in Vienna on sidelines of a session of the OSCE Permanent Council that took place there on March 31.

According to the Tajik MFA information department, the two considered issues related to state and prospects of further expansion of bilateral mutually beneficial cooperation between Tajikistan and Austria.

In this connection Tajik minister underlined the significance of preparation and signing of bilateral documents that would lay legal foundation for further expansion of trade and economic cooperation between the countries.

Spindelegger supported Zarifi’s view and said that frame documents were needed for expansion of bilateral cooperation between the two countries.  Austrian minister noted that his country is interested in participation in implementation of some hydroelectricity projects in Tajikistan, in particular those funded by the European Union and the European Bank, the Tajik MFA information department said.

He also said that Austria’s representative office in Almaty, Kazakhstan would promote establishment of wider trade and economic relations between Austria and Central Asia’s countries.

For his part, Zarifi offered Austria to participate in a tender for implementation of the Roghun hydroelectricity project upon completion of the techno-economic, the environmental and social impact assessments for the Roghun hydroelectric power plant (HPP).  He added that Austria could also participate in implementation of the Central Asia South Asia Electricity Trade and Transmission Project (CASA-1000) that would promote diversification of its potential participants.

In the course of the talks, Tajik minister also asked to assist with training of Tajikistan’s representatives at the Diplomatic Academy of Vienna and other Austrian educational facilities.

Zarifi also informed Spindelegger of the current situation in the region, relations of Tajikistan with Southeast Asia’s countries, dialogue between Tajikistan and the European Union on human rights and other issues.