DUSHANBE, September 10, 2011, Asia-Plus – The European Union (EU) Delegation congratulates the people of the Republic of Tajikistan with the 20th anniversary of Independence and sends the warmest wishes of success, prosperity and peace for many years ahead, a message issued by the EU Delegation on September 8 said.

“The EU and Tajikistan have worked closely over the years on a wide range of issues, such as human rights and economic development and the EU Delegation looks forward to continuing this cooperation.”

The European Union, composed of 27 Member States, is the world’s biggest aid donor.  Tajikistan gets the main share of bilateral assistance in the Central Asian region (€66 million for 2007-2010 and 62 million for 2011-2013) in support to sector programs, technical assistance and grants.  It focuses on social protection, health and private sector development, underpinned by public finance management.  Tajikistan also receives regional and thematic assistance in areas like border management and drug control (BOMCA/CADAP), education (TEMPUS, Erasmus Mundus), water / environment, migration, human rights and democracy (EIDHR), non-State actors (NSA) and SME development (CA-Invest).  The total value of EU assistance disbursed to Tajikistan since 1992 is over €500 million.