DUSHANBE, July 7, 2011, Asia-Plus -- On Wednesday July 6, Tajik Foreign Minister Hamrokhon Zarifi met here with the Special Representative of the UN Secretary General (SRSG) also Head of the UN Regional Center for Preventive Diplomacy in Central Asia (UNRCCA) Ambassador Miroslav Jenca.

According to the Tajik MFA information department, the two considered a number of regional issues being of mutual interest.

Zarifi and Jenca, in particular, discussed cooperation in strengthening regional security in Central Asia, fighting terrorism, strengthening border control and developing energy sector.  They also discussed the current situation in Afghanistan.

In the meantime, UNRCCA reports Mr. Jenca visited Kyrgyzstan on July 4-5.  During meetings with high-ranking Kyrgyz state officials and the representatives of political parties, civil society, national minorities and international community, the Special Representative reportedly underlined the key significance of upcoming presidential elections for further political stabilization and sustainable socio-economic development of the country.  The Special Representative also informed about the recent approval of projects within the UN Peace Building Fund in the sphere of preventing repetition of the tragic events, promoting peace and strengthening rule of law worth of US$7 million.  During the visit the Special Representative was accompanied by Mr. Levent Bilman, Director of Policy and Mediation Division at Department of Political Affairs of the UN Secretariat in New York, who also informed of plans of the Organization to support strengthening the institute of mediation in Kyrgyzstan.