President Emomali Rahmon

should be widely supported by the West

My final OSCE report has just been published. I was appointed in 2010 by the Kazakh Presidency of the OSCE as Personal Representative of the Chairman in Office responsible for the ecology and environment of Central Asia. This massive 350 page report covers and looks for solutions to all of the environmental disasters which have afflicted the five Central Asian republics, such as the desiccation of the Aral Sea, the Soviet nuclear tests legacy in the Semipalatinsk region of East Kazakhstan and the uranium tailings dumps. In respect of the highly sensitive upstream/downstream water issues and the role played by Tajikistan, the report is both positive and optimistic.

Skirmishes with drug smugglers crossing illegally from Afghanistan occur regularly, as Tajikistan is the first stop on the drugs route from there to Russia and the West. Tajikistan has also resisted attempts by Islamist rebels to operate training camps on its territory. In my own visit to the country I was impressed by the level of internal security and I believe President Rahmon must be congratulated on his efforts to maintain stability and security and should be widely supported by the West for his efforts to maintain Tajikistan as a strategic buffer state, preventing the incursion of drug smugglers and terrorists from Afghanistan and Pakistan.

I have stated in the report that the mountainous landscape of Tajikistan means that scarce water resources and limited water availability are not a concern. However, as an upstream country, I acknowledge that Tajikistan has responsibilities towards its downstream neighbours. I concluded that Tajikistan takes this responsibility very seriously and indeed I was assured by senior government officials in Dushanbe that it never has and never will withhold water from its neighbours.

In terms of water policies my report notes that the Tajik government has a key objective to increase hydropower capacity and this is the main concern for other states in Central Asia. The Tajik government is currently trying to finish the Rogun and Sangtuda dam projects on the Vakhsh River. The Rogun project began in the 1980s but was halted during the Tajik Civil War in 1993.

Uzbekistan has vehemently objected to the Rogun project, claiming it would give control of the river’s flow to Tajikistan and could cause devastation if breached by an earthquake, but I have noted that such negative reactions are premature. In my report I suggest that Uzbekistan and other downstream nations in Central Asia should await the outcome of a critical analysis of the project by World Bank experts which is due to be published later this year.

I have also pointed out that the Rogun reservoir, with a projected 335 metre high clay and stone embankment, will be broadly similar to the Nurek reservoir, located about 75km east of Dushanbe in the Pamir Mountains. Nurek also has a 300m high earthfill dam, with currently the largest reservoir in Tajikistan, stretching back for 70 km with a surface area of over 98km² and a maximum depth of 220m. Nurek, constructed during Soviet times, has withstood countless major earthquakes over four decades and is still functioning perfectly. I state in the report that I cannot see why Rogun should be any different, but I am happy to leave the final decision on its viability to the World Bank experts.

The Rogun reservoir is upstream of Nurek on the Vakhsh River, approximately 100 km northeast of Dushanbe.

I note in my report that it is common for tensions to arise between the upstream and downstream users of large dams. Some well-known examples include the Attaturk Dam on the Euphrates River and the Pa Mong Dam on the Mekong. I am not surprised therefore, that tension has arisen over Tajikistan’s plans for Rogun.

However, I clarify in the report that the upstream countries in Central Asia, (Tajikistan /Kyrgyzstan) possess nearly 90% of the region’s water resources and control the heads of Central Asia’s major rivers. However, the majority of water in Central Asia is consumed by the downstream countries – Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan – with the latter consuming the most. This upstream-downstream dichotomy has often been a source of tension and it has been suggested that conflict could ensue if a solution is not agreed upon soon. The key issue is the downstream states’ growing consumption of water for summer irrigation mirrored against the upstream states’ withholding of water to generate power for winter heating needs.

I conclude in the report that the proper management of water by both the upstream and downstream nations is an essential prerequisite to avoiding future tension and conflict. I therefore seek assurances that the upstream countries will continue to provide a full flow of water during the summer months to enable irrigation to be carried out downstream. But I also call for proper water management in the downstream nations, insisting on concrete lined reservoirs and irrigation channels to prevent water loss and the introduction of droplet irrigation rather than wasteful flooding systems.

Once again my report congratulates the efforts made by President Rahmon of Tajikistan in ratifying a number of international conventions including the UN Watercourses Convention (1997). At the First Asian Pacific Water Summit in December 2007, President Rahmon emphasised the importance of water-related international legal tools in solving trans-boundary water issues in Central Asia, stating that, “elaboration and adoption of International Water Conventions could be one of the important steps in a unification of efforts which would determine universal principles of water policy whilst taking into account the interests of all consumers”. Tajikistan initiated the International Decade for Action “Water for Life” (2005-2015) and advocated that greater cooperation is needed among Central Asian states to tackle trans-boundary water-related issues.

I note that President Rahmon’s laudable objectives can be realised through the Rogun project which can play an essential role in restoring economic prosperity to Tajikistan through the export of electricity to Pakistan and Afghanistan, while at the same time helping to stabilise economically these volatile neighbouring countries. I mention in the report that I held high-level talks in Dushanbe with the Tajik Foreign Minister Hamrokhan Zarifi, during which we extensively discussed water issues.

The Foreign Minister pointed out that 60% of the rivers which serve Central Asia are sourced in Tajikistan. He told me “We have never and will never restrict water flow to our downstream neighbours. During Soviet times it was calculated that Tajikistan’s justifiable water needs amounted to 15% of the Amu Darya. In fact we have only ever used around 10 to 11% and we will continue to do so even after Rogun is operational.”

“But”, Mr Hamrokhon Zarifi said, “Tajikistan needs energy and Rogun will provide a source of green, environmentally friendly energy which is cheap and plentiful. We have a major problem with melting glaciers. One third of our glacier cover has disappeared in the past 100 years. Water from the Amu Darya and Syr Darya is being used excessively for irrigation and these projects have drained the Aral Sea.”

My report also notes the discussion I had during a constructive meeting in Dushanbe with Shukurjon Zuhurov Chairman (Speaker) of the Majilis. Mr Zuhurov told me “We maintain good relations with the EU which we regard as very important. We have enjoyed close bi-lateral relations since 1989 and many cooperative agreements have been signed. The European Commission opened an office in Dushanbe in 1993. We have many EU joint-programmes involving, for instance, food and medicine support and drinking water quality. The main focus of a framework agreement signed with the EU in 2004 is border control and the fight against drug trafficking.”

“But,” he continued, “Our most important issue is Hydro Electric Power (HEP). When we were part of the USSR, we supplied cotton and the Soviets supplied us with energy. But HEP is the only way to raise our economy. We currently produce 25-30 billion KWs per annum. We have the potential to produce 500 billion KW. So Rogun is a life or death project for us. It was almost completed in 1990, but then the civil war halted all further construction. We need to reconstruct and refurbish Rogun.”

Finally, I congratulate President Rahmon on his key support for The Central Asia-South Asia 1000 (CASA-1000) project. This is a regional project providing for the construction of high voltage electricity transmission lines for electricity exports from Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan to Pakistan via Afghanistan. It will help to rebuild the economy of these volatile countries and in so doing, assist in the restoration of peace and stability to this beleaguered zone.

STRUAN STEVENSON, Member of the European Parliament (MEP)

Struan Stevenson is a Conservative Euro MP representing the United Kingdom in the European Parliament. He is President of the European Parliament’s Delegation for Relations with Iraq and President of the influential Climate Change, Biodiversity & Sustainable Development Intergroup.

Tajikistan develops regional strategy

Following a high-level co-operation meeting at the European Council in Brussels, the Foreign Minister of Tajikistan, Hamrokhon Zarifi, spoke to New Europe about the meeting, EU-Tajik partnership, the security situation in central Asia and the growing importance of energy for the economy of Tajikistan.

You have just had a high-level meeting at the European Council. What did you discuss?

This was the first meeting in the history of Tajikistan and the European Union, so it is very important. Now, because of some small problem that rises in central Asia, it impacts on Europe also; for example, drug trafficking. Afghanistan is the country of production, Tajikistan is transit country, and country of destination is in the European Union, and this is where ewe should do some serious work on how to create some mechanism to protect people from these kinds of issues. This was one part of our discussion. Of course; we should be fighting drugs in the country of production and transit, but also in the country of destination, so there is no demand for production. And so we were discussing how we can enhance our co-operation in this way.

Did the EU offer any support in this?

Yes; several projects in Tajikistan for border issues have assistance from the European Union, through projects of the EU central Asia co-operation. Through such projects we are enhancing the border with Afghanistan. For example, we are providing some technical equipment. We have built five bridges to Afghanistan to help with trade development, but at the same time we must also protect these bridges.
Drug trafficking is also one of the main source of finance for terrorists. So a second issue is the fight against terrorism, how can we do it? To cut off terrorist from financial sources, we must stop drug trafficking. We should enhance our relations to fight terrorism. Terrorist live in Pakistan, in other countries, they receive finance from many countries, and for this reason we should have a very good plan of action to fight terrorism.

How about economic development?

We also discussed economic development. Tajikistan, despite its size, for hydro power resources is second biggest in the former Soviet Union, after Russia, and 8th in the world. It is ecologically clean under the Kyoto protocol, and is our most important source of energy. We are now constructing several hydro power plants, but despite the large potential, in winter we have limited electricity. Existing hydro power stations are not enough for fulfilling all the demands of Tajikistan, also in winter, usually we are gathering water for downstream countries; Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, to provide water for irrigation in summer. To fulfil all demands, we should build additional hydro power stations. We haven’t got oil and gas, well, we have it, but it is very deep! So, we are co-operating in this way, and also in the agriculture sector, where we are changing our production from cattle to fruit and vegetables, for instance.

It seems that hydro power is very much tied up with the economy, how is the infrastructure in terms of hydro, particularly in relation to exporting power to neighbouring countries?

During the Soviet time, it was designed that there would be 22 medium and large hydro power stations. We have already built seven, eight. And now we are building the Rogun plant on Vakhsh river. Uzbekistan demanded an international, independent feasibility study, we applied to the World Bank, and I hope after feasibility study, we will start working. This is a large project; it is 3,600 megawatts, with a dam of more than 300 metres. This started in Soviet times, and on existing infrastructures. From this station we now plan to draw an electricity transmission line to Afghanistan and Pakistan, a 1,000 megawatt transmission line, because Pakistan suffers very seriously from a shortage of energy, and Afghanistan needs a lot of electricity for its development. We are working with the World Bank, Asian Development Bank, Islamic Bank, to construct this line. It is increase significantly the export of electricity from Tajikistan. The situation now is that in summer we have large potential for export, but in winter we need energy imports. In this we should increase co-operation with the south – Iran, Afghanistan, India. These are ideas on which we are working, but it needs a lot of investment, of course.

Energy, transport and communications are very important to have, and here we have several ambitions. One project, for example, is a railway from China through Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, the north part of Afghanistan, Turkmenistan and into the Persian Gulf. It is a challenging project; it needs a lot of investment, and a lot of negotiations. We have spoken with Iran, with the Chinese, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, Afghanistan, several Arabic countries like Qatar, Bahrain, Oman; it also has political significance. For example, it will be very interesting to see co-operation between the Arabic world, Iran and former Soviet countries.

Although this is a transport issue, it touches on foreign policy, too. Presumably, one of the ambitions behind this is for socio-economic change in the region.

Cross-border trade in central Asia is not in bad shape, but it needs improvement. The existing border management during Soviet times has collapsed, and we need to create a new one. Actually, we have created several, but they have not worked 100%.We need more negotiations to create checkpoints, to sign new agreements, and to make some kind of assistance to each country. But most important is the road going through the north of Afghanistan. Here, security becomes more and more important, but, however, a lot of hope exists. By military action alone, we cannot solve all the problems of Afghanistan, we need economic improvement. How can we do this? By projects like road, railway, transmission of electricity lines, creating a lot of infrastructure, so people will have jobs and income – it will be an improvement.

You mentioned Uzbekistan earlier. How are relations right now?

We do not have bad relations with Uzbekistan. In fact, I would like to say, we have excellent relations with all our neighbours. We have with Uzbekistan several disputes, normal political disputes, around water and energy. Unfortunately, we have not yet reached full agreement or understanding, because Uzbekistan is afraid that if we build a hydro-electric power station there will be a shortage of water. We have another opinion; water in central Asia is quite enough. We should, therefore, improve water consumption, and the irrigation system. The system in the former Soviet Union in central Asia is very old, it is really not sufficient.  To solve this dispute, we should continue our negotiations to improve irrigations systems in these countries.

Can the EU help in this?

Yes, of course. A lot of independent institutions are within the European Union, and the EU has good experience, for example in the Danube river agreements between several countries; it is good experience. Of course, nothing can be implemented 100% form one region to another, it will be difficult, but in general the same.

How committed is central Asia as a whole to improving the security situation, particularly in Afghanistan?

Actually, I think the wider world is trying to find a security framework for Afghanistan. The Tajik point of view is that without strong security in that country, there will be no stability in central Asia. We need to improve the situation in Afghanistan, and we do have several frameworks for discussion. For example; we created two years ago our Quartet: Russia, Pakistan, Afghanistan and Tajikistan, and we meet annually.

On the other side; how are relations with Iran?

Historically, culturally, linguistically, we have along history with Iran. Iran has very positively impacted on Afghanistan, and we are encouraging because Iran has a lot of possibilities to assist Afghanistan, and we are trying to co-ordinate our efforts. We recognise the full rights of the Iranian people for peaceful use of nuclear power; but at the same time, we support Western ideas to keep Iran away from atomic weapons. We believe there is just one way forward: diplomatic negotiations with Iran for solving these problems.

by Mr.Hamrokhon Zarifi, the Minister of Foreign Affairs

of the Republic of Tajikistan

The Republic of Tajikistan attaches great importance to the development and extension of relations with the European Union. Relations with the EU are among priority directions of the foreign policy of our country.

The official visits of the President of the Republic of Tajikistan H.E. Emomali Rahmon to Brussels and several European countries in February 2009 have confirmed the adherence of the Republic of Tajikistan to comprehensive development of partnership and cooperation with the EU.

The President of Tajikistan H.E. Mr. Emomali Rahmon submitted the package of the priority projects of regional significance to the leadership of the European Commission. We hope that the European Commission after thorough consideration of these projects will make a positive decision.

Tajikistan believes that the implementation of the EU Strategy will contribute to the integration process in Central Asia and will improve the bilateral relations between countries in the region. The Strategy covers the most significant and important trends and areas of cooperation between Central Asian countries and the European Union.

Bilaterally, an EU-Tajikistan relation is governed by the Partnership and Cooperation Agreement, which was signed in late 2004 and expected to enhance bilateral relations and heighten the EU profile in Tajikistan, as it sets out the parameters for increased political dialogue and cooperation and aims to promote bilateral trade and investments. It provides a comprehensive and ambitious framework for joint EU-Tajikistan work, in all key areas of reform.

The first meeting of the Cooperation Council was held on December 13^th, 2010 in Brussels. The Co-operation Council provided a good opportunity to review recent economic and social reforms in Tajikistan.

Cooperation between Tajikistan and the EU has been actively and intensively developed during the last years. Tajikistan is pursuing a closer relationship with the European Union, targeting its co-operation, to facilitate economic transition, promoting inclusive, sustainable human and economic development.

Tajikistan is interested in maximum use of the bilateral economic cooperation potential with the EU, attraction of European investments to the development of priority areas of  the country’s economy, in particular hydropower, transport and communications, industry and agriculture.

In relations with the EU the Republic of Tajikistan proceeds from the need to cover the most important trends and areas of interaction, including the process of democratization, rule of law, border management, combating drug trafficking, transport and energy, particularly renewable energy, water management, environmental protection, education, trade and investment, support of Tajikistan’s accession to WTO.

The economic cooperation between the Republic of Tajikistan and the EU needs to be elevated to the level of political relations.

Tajikistan also receives regional and thematic assistance in areas like border management and drug control (BOMCA/CADAP), education (TEMPUS, Erasmus Mundus), water / environment, human rights and democracy (EIDHR), non-State actors (NSA) and SME development (CA-Invest), and disaster preparedness (DIP-ECHO).

Tajikistan first among the Central Asian countries signed the framework Agreement on cooperation with the European Investment Bank. We hope that after its entry into force (1^st December 2009), the EIB will be actively involved in investment of projects in Tajikistan, particularly in the hydropower sector.

The good example is the reconstruction project of Kayrakum Hydropower station. It is planning to be started during 2010 by the European Investment Bank in cooperation with the EBRD and the European Commission.

Since the adoption of the European Union and Central Asia: Strategy for a New Partnership in June 2007, bilateral relations between the EU and Tajikistan have intensified in a number of fields. One particular area is that of human rights, where the EU and Tajikistan entered into an enhanced dialogue in October 2008. The EU-Tajikistan human rights dialogue offers a platform for discussion on questions of mutual interest, and serves to enhance cooperation on human rights.

Under current circumstances, gaining energy independence and releasing the country from communication isolation is a vital necessity for Tajikistan. For these purposes the EU assistance is important in conducting feasibility study on hydropower and communication projects in Tajikistan.

There 64 km³ of water stock out of an aggregate volume of 115 km³ of the Aral Sea basin generates in Tajikistan. In addition, Tajikistan has abundant unexhausted sources of hydro-energy ranking the 8^th in the world on total amount and the 2^nd on specific volumes. Total hydropower potential of the country is estimated at 527 billion kWt\hours of electricity per year.

Nature, picturesque and skyscraping mountains, as well as unique landscape in Tajikistan remind of a small Switzerland in Central Asia. Wild nature, high mountains, fresh spring water and ancient historic sights make Tajikistan attractive for tourists.

We are confident that today more than ever before the vitalization of the activity of the European Union in Central Asia for solution of issues related to the process of further achievement of stability and sustainable economic development of the region is important.

Only with common consolidated efforts of the European Union and the countries of the region we would be able to solve those problems and challenges which our governments and the people face today. The Republic of Tajikistan, on its turn, is always open for effective and constructive cooperation, both with the European Union, as well as with other countries.

http://www.neurope.eu/articles/103628.php

Experts opinion on an aluminum production factory

Tajik aluminum smelter was commissioned in year 1975. At that point of time, aluminium production technology at this smelter was considered one of the most progressive and environmentally clean, naturally with a condition of adhering to all norms of technological cycle. Of course time is passing and technologies are advancing to the direction of minimization of influence on the environment. It is necessary to admit that people working at the smelter always understood this and applied efforts to modernize production and brought in usage of special equipment, which lets collect hazardous emissions. Today Tajik Aluminium smelter is one of the few enterprises in the country which is investing its own funds in solution of ecological problems.
For regulation of issues related to environmental protection in the area under influence of aluminium smelter an “Agreement of cooperation in improvement of ecological situation in the areas under negative influence of Tajik aluminium smelter dated November 17, 1994, valid for 3 years” was signed between Republic of Tajikistan and Republic of Uzbekistan, which was eventually extended till year 2002.  Based this Agreement a joint “Program of research engineering on improvement of ecological conditions of aluminium smelter for the period of years 1996 to 2000” was developed, and Tajik side rigorously followed all terms of this Agreement and Program.
The conducted analyses and examinations showed that fluoride’s content in the soil and waters of bare sources in the Uzbekistan areas bordering Tursunzade district of Tajikistan by 2-3 times lower than maximum permissible concentration, and Uzbek side recognized these results.
To ensure daily information exchange and timely control of atmospheric air conditions, Tajik aluminium smelter using its own funds equipped three twenty-four-hour controlling stations in the Sariasia and Dashnabad districts of Republic of Uzbekistan with a direct connection with the smelter. However, as the inspections executed by the Ministry of nature protection of Republic of Tajikistan discovered, all these stations were completely withdrawn and did not operate.  As Nadezhda Docenko who worked as the head of department at State committee of nature protection of Republic of Uzbekistan said in due time – “Ecological problems do not tolerate populism, superficial approach, and misinterpretation of facts. It is especially disturbing when such things are dealt by people whose mission is to care for environment and people’s health” – and here we are totally supportive of our Uzbek colleague’s view.
This is why it is strange for us to see how our Uzbek colleagues started violently working off places allocated for them in the parliament and to execute the “attack” command in relation to Tajikistan. We understand that people in Uzbekistan want to have clean water and in big quantities, clean air, and clean soil. But we do not understand why for accomplishment of this, Tajikistan has to become an ecological reserve for Republic of Uzbekistan and population of Tajikistan – an unfortunate hindrance in the way of existence of such reserve. And it is doubtful whether roots of all ecological troubles of Uzbekistan spring up in Tajikistan. Probably, there are enough issues of ecological disturbance inside of Uzbekistan.  And most importantly, there is eventually international law and international law institutions. Therefore, we propose our Uzbek colleagues to collect real instrumental information, and if there is a necessity, solve all the problems in legal background, in international court, by not complicating the transportation communication between our countries and by not distracting students from their educational process, and professors with politicians from serious thoughts.

T. Alikhanova, is a NESDCA expert and A. Latifi,
is an independent ecologist.

New Europe – the European weekly, published since 1993, is a unique product carrying news and analyses from 49 countries with a particular emphasis on the EU institutions and EU-World relations.

http://www.neurope.eu/articles/103629.php

An environmental appraisal of the Tajik Aluminum smelter

Today Tajik Aluminum smelter undoubtedly is the cleanest smelter in the CIS territory, because it was constructed and designed not to harm the environment. More than 30% of financings which were spent to construct the smelter used to be directed to the creation of gas purification system. Moreover, baked anodes system was introduced which significantly reduced the pollution extent and in addition the constructed gigantic gas purification system collected more than 98% of all hazardous substances, including fluorinated. A special attention was attributed to the environmental issues from the very beginning.
The main pollution element is fluorine, which now is being collected virtually in entire and is directed to the production.

There is no single real fact of threat from aluminum smelter
Who is mostly exposed to the influence of hazardous components? Answer is – people who work at the production. I do not admit other response. They tell tales that people standing next to the electrolysis cells are not exposed to any influence, and the ones who live 50 kilometers away for some reason are being affected by the fluorine. Any negative influence minimizes as distance from the smelter increases. Contamination does not increase. For the whole 35 years of smelter existence there has been no single fact of fluorosis decease, although the professional pathology and medical research institutes had permanent examinations and researches on this issue. A question arises – why people working at the smelter do not get sick and the ones who live far from the smelter start to feel on themselves its influence?

The international commission which operated in 1980’s had expressed many different opinions. At the same time maps of the areas exposed to the external factor influences had been prepared. Such facts as dried off pomegranate trees and vineyards were recorded. When these maps were matched with topographical ones it was clearly seen that the greatest damage to agriculture was caused along the highways, i.e. the negative influence of automobile exhausts was distinctly traced.

A question arises – does the smelter really work the way that the flow of polluted gases go precisely along the highways? This is not correct. A that time the international commission drew a conclusion that the main influence on the pomegranate trees and vineyards is not caused by the fluorine containing gases but by the automobile exhausts which are highly consisting of benzene. If someone wants to check, you can go to the direction of Termez, to the west, or to the south-west, and you can see the vineyards located close to the smelter.  In 1980’s when it was the most intensive moment of relations between Uzbek and Tajik populations, the Uzbek people wrote to all the authorities, including the Council of Ministers of USSR. That was when we were gathered at deputy chairman of Council of Ministers of USSR Mr. Vladimir Gusev. All the interested parties were present during this meeting, including: ecologists, scientists, smelter workers, constructors, representatives of both Tajikistan and Uzbekistan. We brought all documents of the commission which operated with our initiative.

Conclusions of this commission were quite definite. It was revealed that damage can be caused only to animals through feed. That is where the fluorine gets into the silage and haylage and the animals ate the contaminated feed. This is when the animals had the teeth diseases. This is what really happened, but it was in areas close to the smelter, nothing was revealed farther from it. At that time Uzbek party brought to Moscow information regarding children getting sick from breast milk, i.e. supposedly the mothers breathed air polluted with fluorine, and this transmitted to their children who started to have fluorosis. But this was an obvious provocation. It cannot be that people who work at the electrolysis production of the smelter living close to the smelter, and who have 7-8 children are healthy, and the ones who live 50 kilometers far from it have diseases?

Prove that the smelter is guilty
All issues have to be analyzed and approached soberly and main thing is there should be objective indicators, what indeed is happening. Since 1980’s smelter is regularly conducting monitoring and the soil, plants, and underground waters in the 10km radius are always being studied. Everywhere if there is a high concentration, there is nothing over permissible. Everywhere we keep within the permissible norm limits established around the world. If today in general we discussed some anomalous occurrences, we need facts which would precisely filter out smelters influence from other external impacts. Just to say that vineyard is drying off is to say nothing.

There are million other factors. For example a coal briquette producing factory operates in Shargun, automobiles pass on the road, and boiler house emits smoke, anything one likes. It is necessary to clearly illustrate that exactly smelter is the one which is damaging. There are no materials which would definitely tell that as a result of smelter actions specific number of vineyards perished and some children got diseases connected to fluorine consumption.

Professor Koshlakov G.V. is the head of Economics and Management Department of Russian Tajik Slavic University, Candidate of Geological and Mineralogical sciences, Corresponding member of International Engineering Academy.

STRUAN STEVENSON, MEP

Struan Stevenson is Personal Representative of the President in Office of the OSCE (Kazakhstan) responsible for the Ecology & Environment of Central Asia. He is a Conservative Member of the European Parliament representing Scotland and President of the Intergroup on Climate Change, Biodiversity & Sustainable Development.

At the same period the President of the Republic of Tajikistan H.E. Mr. Emomali Rahmon will have a meeting in according to the official invitation with the President of the European  Commission H.E. Mr. Jose Manuel Barroso. During the meeting will be discussed issues for the development of the Tajikistan – European Union relations in the economic, investment and humanitarian spheres. Providing regional security will be one of the key subjects of the meeting. The President of the Republic of Tajikistan H.E. Mr. Emomali Rahmon will also discuss important matters with the Secretary General of the European Council, High Representative of the European Union for the common foreign and security policy H.E. Mr. Xavier Solana, Commissioner of the European Commission for external relations and European neighborhood policy Benita Ferrero-Waldner and Chairman of the European Parliament Committee on Foreign Affaires Mr. Jacek Saryusz-Wolski. Within program the President of the Republic of Tajikistan H.E. Mr. Emomali Rahmon will have a speech at the European Parliament, where he will talk about the relations between Tajikistan and EU and underline the objectives for the strengthening the cooperation.

In addition a meeting between the President of the Republic of Tajikistan    H.E. Mr. Emomali Rahmon and the President of the European Investment Bank Mr. Philippe Maystadt is scheduled during the visit. The main aim of this meeting is to establish fruitful cooperation by signing an Agreement between theRepublic of Tajikistan and the European Investment Bank.

Furthermore in Brussels will take place a meeting of the President of theRepublic of Tajikistan H.E. Mr. Emomali Rahmon with the Secretary General of the Energy Charter H.E. Mr. Andre Mernier. The world crises, its effect to the maintenance of the energy security, as well as promoting cooperation to the fruitful level between Tajikistan and Energy Charter will be discussed during the meeting.

During visit the President of the Republic of Tajikistan will have a speech in the audience of politicians, diplomats, scientists and professors at the Egmont Institute for International Relations of theKingdom of Belgium . In his statement the President will raise the issues of political-economic situation in the country, as well as regional security.

Also the Head of State H.E. Mr. Emomali Rahmon will open the new building of the Embassy of the Republic ofTajikistan to the Kingdom of Belgium and will meet with the Tajik Diaspora. After opening ceremony the President will have a speech at the Business forum at the Embassy.

2 июля 2007 года в штаб-квартире Организации Североатлантического Договора (НАТО) в г. Брюсселе состоялась встреча Министра иностранных дел Республики Таджикистан Хамрохона Зарифи с Генеральным Секретарем альянса Яап де Хооп Схеффером.
В ходе состоявшейся беседы стороны обсудили широкий круг вопросов, связанных с дальнейшим укреплением двусторонних отношений между Таджикистаном и НАТО в рамках существующих механизмов партнерства, развитием событий в регионе, а также совместной борьбы с современными угрозами безопасности.
Состоялся обстоятельный обмен мнениями относительно принятой Таджикистаном Индивидуальной программы партнерства, регулирующей взаимодействие сторон в таких областях как, языковое и военное обучение, борьба против международного терроризма, противодействие наркотикам, чрезвычайное гражданское планирование и др.
Генеральный Секретарь НАТО подчеркнул важную необходимость присоединения Таджикистана к Процессу планирования и анализа в рамках Программы Партнерства ради мира.
Яап де Хооп Схеффер касаясь афганской тематики, выразил признательность Правительству Таджикистана за ощутимый вклад в восстановление мира и стабилизации в Афганистане.
Министр иностранных дел Х. Зарифи, отметил, что ситуация в Афганистане тревожит не только регион, но и все мировое сообщество. Он подчеркнул, что для решения проблем Афганистана необходим комплексный подход, связанный с обеспечением безопасности и содействием его социально-экономическому развитию, прежде всего в таких областях как энергетика, транспорт и коммуникация.
Министр Х. Зарифи подчеркнул дальнейшую заинтересованность Таджикистана в сотрудничестве с НАТО в рамках достижения стабильности в Афганистане. В этой связи, предложил рассмотреть возможность использования потенциала НАТО для улучшения пограничной и таможенной инфраструктур участков границы с Афганистаном и подготовки соответствующих кадров в указанных областях.
Рассматривая другие области сотрудничества, собеседники, обсудили возможность использования Трастового фонда НАТО для финансирования вопросов, связанных с разминированием приграничных зон Таджикистана.
Стороны также обсудили проблемы, связанные с развитием событий в Ираке, иранскую тематику, а также другие вопросы представляющие взаимный интерес.
Стороны признали важность продолжения диалога на регулярной основе.

Lord Robertson is due to visit Tajikistan and the other Alliance partner states in Central Asia this summer.
Press Point
by NATO Secretary General Lord Robertson
and The President of Tajikistan H.E. Emomali Rakhmanov

LORD ROBERTSON (NATO Secretary General): I’ve been delighted to greet President Rakhmonov of Tajikistan here, the first time that he’s been to NATO headquarters, indeed the first time he’s been to Belgium.
It is only recently that Tajikistan has joined the Euro-Atlantic Partnership Council and yet it is a very important country and one of the most important and sensitive regions of the world.
The President and I met in November at the Prague Summit meeting of NATO where the President was attending the Euro-Atlantic Partnership Council.
And at Prague, the NATO nations underlined how important the nations of Central Asia are to the security of the whole Euro-Atlantic Central Asia region.
And today we have discussed how Tajikistan and NATO can work more closely together to increase the stability and security of the Central Asian region.
I have explained that NATO is already helping with stability in that region by supporting the nations who are in the International Stability and Assistance Force in Kabul in Afghanistan. And the President has expressed his appreciation of how NATO is helping with this difficult task at this very important time.
And I’m looking forward to visiting Tajikistan later in the summer.
EMOMALI RAKHMONOV (President of Tajikistan): Ladies and gentlemen, in my meeting with Lord Robertson we have broached a number of topical questions, issues of a bilateral and international order.
As you doubtless (?) know, last year, Tajikistan became a member of the Partnership for Peace NATO program, and we believe that this opens up for us completely new prospects for a very close co-operation in the most diverse areas.
Needless to say we attach great importance to our co-operation with NATO and we believe that the North Atlantic Alliance has all the necessary capabilities for effectively withstanding contemporary threats. In as much as on both sides, we are committed to peace and stability in Central Asia and in Afghanistan.
We have had very detailed discussions about the situation in our region and in neighboring Afghanistan, and have plotted out a road map for future co-operation.
Tajikistan has proposed to map out the framework and a format for engaging Afghanistan as a NATO partner on the same kind of lines as it is an OSCE partner, and our initiative in engaging this country in those goals and challenges which lie ahead of it, and which have been proclaimed by the OSCE have our full support.
And we have found convergence in our views that in the conditions of a modern globalizing world, there are real prospects for co-operation in terms of peace and security. And in that context, I think we can say that our region continues to remain in the centre of the world communities’ attention.
Tajikistan believes that NATO, as an organization which is responsible for supporting peace and stability in through a very wide area or expanse, must help us with very substantive assistance so that we can effectively resist new threats and challenges. Amongst these threats, of course, a particular place is occupied by the problem of proliferation of drugs. And Tajikistan, which is really on the front line in terms of resisting this kind of scourge, is relying on the support in its efforts in particularly this area.
In conclusion, I should just like to say how grateful I am to Lord Robertson for arranging this meeting.

Tajikistan to boost support
for NATO’s Afghanistan mission
From left to right: Robert Simmons, NATO Special Representative, NATO Secretary General, Jaap de Hoop Scheffer and Tajik Foreign Minister Talbak Nazarov

On 20 October NATO Secretary General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer signed together with Tajik Foreign Minister Talbak Nazarov in Dushanbe a host nation support and transit agreement with Tajikistan in support of NATO’s ISAF mission in Afghanistan.
Tajikistan is the first Central Asian country to sign such an agreement with NATO.
The Alliance hopes to sign such transit agreements with other Central Asian partners as well.
The visit to Tajikistan was part of the Secretary General’s four-day tour of NATO’s five Central Asian partner states. Cooperation in regard to supporting the development of peaceful and stable Afghanistan was one of the main topics discussed.

Statement by
Col. Gen. Sherali Khairullaev, Minister of Defence of Tajikistan
at the EAPC Defence Ministers meeting

Mr. Secretary -General, Distinguished colleagues,
I have particular pleasure to participate today at EAPC Session and address to you.

Last development of the world and active; participation of Tajikistan in main events related to international security are served as a base for Tajikistan to joint February 20, 2002 to NATO Program “Partnership for peace”. In the past our contacts with NATO were episodic, but now for our new independent state is time to develop more active cooperation with NATO.
Taking this opportunity to address at the Defence Ministerial Session of EAPC I’d like to inform you about Tajikistan’s position with regard to some regional issues and measures to be taken by our countries, interested in maintenance stable peace. Initiatives of Tajikistan in the field of fighting against international terrorism and religious extremism often are subject of particular attention of world community.
Tajikistan on its bitter experience know; impact of international terrorism. As a matter of fact it was first resistance against Islamic fundamentalists. Tajikistan became like advanced post in fighting against terrorism and religious extremism. It played role of buffer zone for CIS and Europe. Escalation of tension in the region was made by terrorist organizations and movements, including “Taliban” and “Al-Qaida”. Open by then training centers in Afghanistan provided fighters and terrorists, actively participated in conflict which cased death of 150.000 Tajiks. Moreover drugs and smuggled arms swept out the country. During this years Tajikistan was sole country in the region, rejected any contacts \/with Talibs. As a matter of fact, we alone resisted these threats.
All this time Tajikistan tries to bring attention of world community attention to situation in Afghanistan. Even in 1998 The President of Tajikistan, E.Rakhmonov during his speech in UN General Assembly made proposal to create “‘security zone” around Afghanistan. It is great pity, that our appeals were not heard at that time World stirred after tragic event in USA only. In September 11, 2002 world clearly understand principle of security indivisibility. It was clear, that freedom is fragile when it is under attack of insane fanatics.
After starting of antiterrorist Tajikistan had no to change its policy as some others ones. Country being adhering to its original position of rejecting all kind forms of terrorism and extremism, it actively supported antiterrorist coalition. Tajikistan assists in conduction operation in Afghanistan by providing its infrastructure for US Army and allied countries. Arm Forces of Tajikistan shifted at new level its relations with partners from NATO member states. Several joint training of Tajik and French landing forces has seen successfully conducted. First steps have been taken to develop cooperation in the field of staff training with such countries as US, Germany, France.
Process of peace establishment and economic development in Afghanistan includes wide spectrum of tasks, affecting interests of many countries. Solidarity among world community can play key role in successful development of peace process. We consider Afghanistan as one state and strongly condemn any ideas concerning so called federalization and any attempts to dismember on the base of ethnic belonging.
According to our opinion EAPC needs to be more active in this regard.
Today, addressing to you I’d like to briefly inform you about real situation in defence and security spheres, as well as tasks of Ministry of Defence.
Armed Forces of Tajikistan started to form in 1993 and considered as very young Army in the region. It has nothing from equipment left by Soviet Army. It was forming with nil and during civil war in our country. We were forced to form our National Army and to fight at the same time.
Talking about natural factors and environment, it is necessary to mention, that 93% of our territory is mountain area. Every years we faced with natural disasters, such as earthquake, landslide e.t c. Among such natural disasters of en country suffered from drought.
Besides natural factors, our country has to eliminate negative consequences of civil war. During war many places in the South of our country were mined chaotically, without any maps Mines field appeared during 1993-1997 are particular dangerous. According to estimation made by Defence Ministry officials 2.500km2 of territory and about 600km- of roads in the country should be examined and cleared. To solve tins problem, we destroyed since 1994 more than 10.000 explosives, more 180km2 of territory and 50 roads were cleared. Due to lack of necessary financial and technical means we have serious difficulties in finding and destruction of mines. As a result we have many civilian died and injured.
Goals of Civil Emergency Planning in the frame of EAPC and Partnership for Peace are prohibition of mines using, their destruction and cooperation aimed on prevention of natural disasters. We consider these issues as a basis for development of our cooperation.
Ministry of Defence considers the following trends as an appropriate to develop cooperation with countries members of EAPC:
• Participation in fight against international terrorism;
• Elaboration of joint program aimed on mines cleaning;
• Peacekeeping issues;
• Environmental protection;
• Training programs.
In conclusion, I’d like to mention, that due to to efforts of our President Mr-E.Rakhmonov and all Tajiks we were able to establish last peace and create necessary conditions to develop economy. We are open for our friends and partners for mutual cooperation.
We hope such attitude will be supported by our partners.
Thank you;

Summer Academy in Tajikistan

The first NATO-sponsored Summer Academy in the Varzob District of Tajikistan was held on 26 June to 8 July for students from Central Asia and Russia aiming to enter the sphere of international relations and diplomacy.
The Academy, implemented by the Information, Education and Cultural Center, Vector Intellect, delivered eight lectures and one practical workshop a day on issues such as the integration of Central Asian countries, the struggle against international terrorism and the Partnership for Peace programme.
The two week course ended with students defending their international relations diplomas through written and oral examinations in both Russian and English.
This highly interactive and intensive programme attracted lecturers from all levels of the diplomatic community, state officials, including the Deputy Ministers of Education and Justice and the Deputy Meyer of Dushanbe, academics and press and media officials.
The aim of the Summer Academy was to:

• interest students in international anddiplomatic affairs,
• ensure access to high quality information in the fields of politics and economics,
• provide an opportunity to share international experience and knowledge, and
• engage in serious discussions with representatives of Tajik government, diplomatic community and local and international academics.
As a follow-on to the Academy, the students decided to open their own website entitled: “Summer Academy Students” where they will continue to exchange their views.
The project was also co-sponsored by the OSCE and the Embassy of France.