DUSHANBE, November 21, 2013, Asia-Plus – On the sidelines of the EU -- Central Asia Ministerial meeting Hamrokhon Zarifi, acting Foreign Minister of Tajikistan on November 20 met in Brussels with Linas Linkevicius, Foreign Minister of Lithuania, which currently presides over the European Union (EU).

According to the Tajik MFA information department, the sides discussed issues related to implementation of the EU’s strategy for Central Asia and exchanged views on ways of providing regional security and seeking political and economic solution to Afghan problem.

The European Union reportedly welcomed the death moratorium introduced in Tajikistan and other reforms being carried out to strengthen the rule of law in the country.

EU Special Representative for Central Asia Patricia Flor and senior officials of the European External Action Service also attended the meeting.

While in Brussels, Hamrokhon Zarifi also held talks with the EU Development Commissioner Andris Piebalgs.

The two reportedly discussed state and prospects of bilateral cooperation between Tajikistan and European Union and implementation of the EU-supported projects in Tajikistan.

Zarifi and Piebalgs also discussed the cooperation program designed for 2014-2020.  The EU Development Commissioner noted that 250 million euro would be allocated to Tajikistan under that program for implementation of bilateral projects, the Tajik MFA information department said.

This program is expected to cover education, health and agrarian sectors.

Zarifi appreciated the European Union’s financial and technical support for enhancing education and health sectors, improving social protection, providing the rule of law, and strengthening overall capacities of Tajik border service.

We will recall that a Tajik delegation participated in the European Union -- Central Asia Ministerial meeting that took place in Brussels on November 20.  It was the tenth ministerial since the Central Asia Strategy was adopted by the European Council in 2007.

During the plenary session, key initiatives and future perspectives of EU-Central Asia cooperation were discussed as well security issues and regional cooperation.