DUSHANBE, March 20, 2013, Asia-Plus -- Colin Roberts, the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO)’s Director for Eastern Europe and Central Asia, visited Tajikistan from March 18 – 20.

According to the British Embassy in Dushanbe, to begin the visit, Mr. Roberts met with Tajik Ombudsman, Zarif Alizoda, where they discussed the achievements of the Ombudsman’s office in Tajikistan, such as the development of new legislature against domestic violence and the establishment of 9 public chambers in different regions of Tajikistan including Dushanbe.  Mr. Roberts said that the Ombudsman’s activity on the promotion of human rights is an essential institution for any state.

Mr. Roberts has also visited the Gorno-Badakhshan Autonomous Province (GBAO) to meet with regional governor, Qosim Qodir.  Both parties discussed the current situation in GBAO and challenges that might face the region following the ISAF drawdown of combat troops from Afghanistan in 2014. Future cooperation, the contribution of the UK in the region’s economic development, and support for border management were also discussed.

In addition, Mr. Roberts met with representatives of civil society in GBAO and visited the cross border trade market.

Mr. Roberts later met with the director of the Tajik Drug Control Agency (DCA), General Rustam Nazarov, where they noted the sound bilateral relationship between the Drug Control Agency and SOCA (the UK’s Serious Organized Crime Agency). Mr. Roberts said he is familiar with the effective activities of the Drug Control Agency and expressed the UK’s interest to continue cooperation.

Mr. Roberts also visited the OSCE Border Management Staff College before leaving Tajikistan on Thursday.