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President of Tajikistan visits
NATO
 During
his first ever visit to NATO on 25 March, the President of
Tajikistan, Emomali Rakhmanov, called for closer cooperation
between NATO and his country.
President Rakhmanov discussed specific proposals for future
cooperation with NATO Secretary General Lord Robertson as
well as key issues affecting security in Central Asia. He
highlighted the fight against drug trafficking as a major
threat and an area in which Tajikistan was looking to international
organisations such as NATO for support.
He also suggested that NATO engage Afghanistan in a partnership
programme similar to the existing Partnership for Peace as
a means of enhancing security in Central Asia.
Cooperation between NATO and Tajikistan intensified in February
2002 when Tajikistan joined the Alliance’s Partnership for
Peace programme.
Tajikistan is set to participate in a NATO-led civil emergency
exercise to be held in the Ferghana Valley in April this year
and is part of NATO’s Virtual Silk Highway project, which
delivers satellite-based networking to the academic communities
of Central Asia and the Caucasus.
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 and diplomatic 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.
Информация о встрече Министра иностранных
дел
Республики Таджикистан Хамрохона Зарифи с
Генеральным Секретарем НАТО Яап де Хооп Схеффером.
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.
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