DUSHANBE, November 5, 2015, Asia-Plus -- On Thursday November 5, Shukurjon Zuhurov, Chairman of Majlisi Namoyandagon (Tajikistan’s lower house of parliament) received visiting Central Asia delegation of the European Parliament.

Muhammadato Sultonov, a spokesman for Majlisi Namoyandagon, says the two sides discussed issues related to state and prospects of further expansion of cooperation between Tajikistan and the European Union.

Tajik parliament speaker reportedly appreciated the European Union’s support for implementation of numerous social development, transportation, energy, environmental protection, and border management projects in Tajikistan.

“Zuhurov noted that ensuring energy independence and food security as well as coming out of transportation deadlock are the priorities of Tajikistan’s economic development program,” Sultonov said.

We will recall that the Central Asia Delegation of the European Parliament is visiting Tajikistan from November 5-6.

The Delegation reportedly includes eight members of the European Parliament, representing all major political groups in the European Parliament.

The main purpose of the visit is the 4th Session of the EU – Tajikistan Parliamentary Cooperation Committee, which will be co-chaired by Ms Iveta Grigule (EP), and Mr. Sharif Rahimzoda (Majlisi Namoyandagon).

As a result of the Parliamentary Cooperation Committee a joint Declaration will be adopted to underline the bilateral cooperation.

Within the frameworks of the visit, the EP delegation is also scheduled to hold talks with President Emomali Rahmon and Foreign Minister Sirojiddin Aslov.  

The EP delegation will also meet with the International community present in the country, and representatives of local civil society.

The European Union is the world’s biggest aid donor.  Tajikistan got 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 EU is active in Tajikistan since 1992 and provides approximately EUR 25 million annually in development