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Issue 283, 2nd March 2009
Martin Banks
"Our relations with the EU are progressing well and, indeed, have reached a new level, but I would like the European parliament to render more support to improving these relations further still"
Emomali Rahmon, the President of the Republic of Tajikistan
“The European vector of foreign policy of the Republic of Tajikistan”
The conceptionof foreign policy of Tajikistan is based on the open door policy and directed on creation of favorable external conditions of own development in view of balance of geopolitical interests of the powerful global and regional players, such as European Union, USA, Russia and China.
Our foreign policy’s objectives which derived from our national interests are concrete. These are national security and economic well being.
We have general approaches with European Community in the solution of regional issues, in struggle against modern threats and challenges. Tajikistan, in view of its geographical location, having the largest border with Afghanistan, buffer position on fight against drug trafficking, terrorism and extremism, plays an important role in the maintenance of security in Central Asia.
By visiting the capital of Europe I wished to emphasize the growing importance of bilateral relations between EU and Tajikistan. Thus we pursue more clear, transparent and pragmatic purposes. First of all, it is the development of our mutually advantageous trade-economic, scientific-technical, educational cooperation. Certainly, we shall aspire to creation of as much as possible favorable conditions for attraction of investments from the European Union member-states to our economy.
In the view of abovementioned goals on 9-11 February 2009 took place my official visit to the Kingdom of Belgium and Institutions of the European Community.
I pay an official visit to Belgium by invitation of the Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Belgium Mr. Herman Van Rompuy. During this visit I had meetings with the high authority of Belgium, European Union, NATO, Energy Charter, European Investment Bank and also rather interesting meetings and useful conversations with influential representatives of business community of Belgium.
During the meeting with the Prime Minister and other high-ranking officials of Belgium we discussed issues of further development and deepening of mutually advantageous bilateral relations in political, trade-economic, humanitarian, scientific, investment, cultural, educational spheres. I specially brought a focus to realization of hydropower projects of Tajikistan as the bases for development of national economy and to increase a well-being of our people. I underlined that our state has an energy potential of 527 billion kW/hours, however we use only 5% of the total volume. I suggested Belgian side to take active part in realization of the energy projects in Tajikistan. I mentioned that creation of hydropower constructions in the republic will enable to satisfy the electric needs of neighboring countries. The Belgian side promised to study our suggestions, having noted, that Tajikistan in Central Asian region plays an important role in stabilization of the situation in Afghanistan. Our meetings passed in a warm and friendly atmosphere. I am deeply convinced that the documents signed during the visit: Agreements between the Government of the Republic of Tajikistan and the Government of the Kingdom of Belgium on avoidance of double taxation and on mutual protection of investments will serve as a strong legislation base in development of our trade-economic relations.
Tajikistan attaches special significance to development of the European vector of its foreign policy. We are strengthening close relations with the European Union in political, economic, humanitarian, educational spheres, and also in maintenance of regional security, struggle against new threats and challenges, stabilization of the situation in Afghanistan. It is pleasant to note that there was observed a steady growth of mutually advantageous trade-economic relations between Tajikistan and EU which in 2008 consisted amount of 880 million US dollars. I wish to emphasize that EU is one of our key trade partners which share 20% of external commodity circulation of Tajikistan. We are grateful to the European Union for rendering the technical and humanitarian assistance to our country which from 1991 till present has made around 600 million Euro.
I had indelible impressions during the meetings with the President of the European Commission Mr. Jose Manuel Barroso, High Representative of the European Union for the Common foreign and security policy, Secretary General of the Council of the European Union Mr. Javier Solana, Chairman of the committee for foreign affairs of the European Parliament Mr. Jacek Sariusz-Wolsky, as well as the members of the European Parliament. Our discussions passed in the spirit of high constructivism, efficiency and deep understanding of arising matters. Within the new strategy of the European Union on Central Asia for 2007-2013 we mentioned prospects of our bilateral mutually advantageous relations in political, economic, trade, investment, technical, humanitarian, educational, cultural areas, in realization of hydropower projects in Tajikistan, in development and democratization of the civil society, human rights, strengthening of boarders, struggle against drug trafficking, terrorism, extremism and illegal migration. During negotiations we also discussed problems of world economic and financial crises, food security. The important place at the meetings has been given to issues of maintenance the regional security, discussion of the situation in Afghanistan, a role of EU and Tajikistan in establishment of peace and consent in this country and also to search ways of its revival. I once again proposed necessity of creation an antinarcotics belt around Afghanistan what I repeatedly declared from various tribunes of the world community. During conversations I have specially emphasized necessity of close combination of carrying out of antiterrorist operation in Afghanistan with economic, social, educational and cultural revival of the country. Afghan issue has not military solution. Countries which promised for economic assistance to Afghanistan have to fully realize their declared plans. All of us have to understand that poverty is an essential threat to the national, regional and global security. Tajikistan is doing a lot in this direction, but with the realization of hydropower projects in our republic, in close coordination of EU efforts, we are capable to achieve concrete results in maintenance of peace, stability, national consent and development in this distressful country.
At the same time I have proposed about opening a branch of the European Liberty University in Dushanbe. This idea will create an opportunity to close together cultures, dialogue of civilizations, establish friendship between young generations. It is possible to keep peace in mind of people but only through cultural and educational exchanges. European Union’s support to this initiative would give a fruitful and conceptual chance for both Tajik and Afghan students to study European educational standards.
During my meetings with counterparts I gave a special attention to discussion of Iran issue. I frankly told that there are ties connecting us with this Persian speaking country. With Iran we have common history, culture, religion, customs and traditions. Iran is our significant trade-economic partner. This country brings the important contribution to the development of our economy, puts great investments into the construction of hydropower plant "Sangtuda-2", several tunnels which will connect various regions of our republic with automobile communication, successful work of new joint companies in different areas of industry. Unfortunately the aspirations of Teheran to use the atomic energy for peaceful purposes are interpreted frequently in different manners. Though these intentions have been declared before the Islamic Revolution and it did not cause negative reaction in the West. I underlined that during several discussions with my Iranian counterparts I come to conclusion that IRI intends to realize its ambition in nuclear sector exceptionally in peaceful goals. I was convinced that they do not have desire and purpose to develop the special nuclear programs contradicting to IAEA requirements. With the view of political, scientific-technical, economic and raw potential Teheran certainly is influential regional power and can play the important role in stabilization of the situation in Afghanistan, Iraq and in whole Near East region.
I would like to note with satisfaction that during discussion with the Secretary General of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) Mr. Jaap De Hoop Scheffer we had the common vision of ways on maintenance the regional security and stabilization of the situation in Afghanistan. I welcomed active Alliance involvement in the process of fight against drug trafficking in the territory of Afghanistan. I underlined that NATO as an important factor for establishing peace in Afghanistan should cooperate actively with the neighboring countries, in particular with Tajikistan which has the largest border with this Islamic republic. The Secretary General has highly appreciated the role of Tajikistan in maintenance of stability in Afghanistan. We agreed to further promote the bilateral relations within the framework of "Partnership for peace" program and technical assistance of NATO to boarder forces of the country, carry out a close coordination between Tajik and Afghan boarder forces and deepening of cooperation in the sphere of disaster prevention. In my opinion a major landmark in strengthening bilateral cooperation was the exhibition of the best works of Tajik known artists held at NATO Head Quarters gallery in Brussels. Through the exposed pictures we showed a real life, philosophy of national being, culture and way of life of Tajiks. I am convinced that through such kind of events it is possible to provide further rapprochement of people, cultures and civilizations for peace, accord and progress.
In the condition of deepening of economic and energy crises the issue of realization of hydropower projects, representing an opportunity for development of the cheapest electricity are rather duly, pertinent and actual. The given aspects have been discussed during my meeting with the Secretary General of the Energy Charter Mr. Andre Mernier. We reached a common opinion on ways to increase the efficiency of bilateral cooperation in energy sphere. My proposal on opening a hydropower department at the Secretariat of the Energy Charter was positively received by authority of the international organization. Our general visions in hydro-energy area have found reflection in the Joint Statement.
As I repeatedly marked the realization of our water-energy projects which will give a powerful impulse in development of national economy and to economic development of other countries in the region, demands significant investments. This subject in detail was discussed with the President of the European Investment Bank Mr. Philippe Maystadt who has supported our goals on creation of hydro-energy potential. The President of EIB has expressed readiness to study an opportunity of participation in investing the given projects. By the result of the meeting we signed the Agreement on cooperation between Tajikistan and the European Investment Bank.
With great enthusiasm and inspiration I told about rather favorable within international legislations standards the investment climate in our country and also about successful functioning of foreign capital to participants of the joint Tajik – Belgian Business Forum which was organized in the new building of our Embassy in Brussels. I underlined the extremely importance of attraction of the foreign capital in such areas of the national economy as hydropower, mining and mountain-processing sectors, extraction and refining of oil and gas, coloured metals and stones, processing of aluminium and agricultural production. During the forum I had productive conversation with the representatives of Belgian business community. I received a positive impression from representatives of Belgian companies to actively study an opportunity of participation in economic development of Tajikistan.
It is necessary to emphasize that the members of our delegation had also a fruitful program of their stay in Belgium. During the meetings have been signed Memorandums of Understanding between the Chambers of Commerce of Tajikistan and Flemish region of Belgium, the Ghent University of Belgium and the National University of Tajikistan, Memorandum of Understanding on establishing sister relations between the cities of Namur, Belgium and Kulob, Tajikistan, and also Joint Statements of the Royal Institute of International Relations "Egmont" and the Centre for strategic research under the President of the Republic of Tajikistan, the Energy Charter Secretariat and the Republic of Tajikistan. The signed documents have laid a fundamental basis for development of bilateral trade and scientific-educational, as well as cultural relations between the Republic of Tajikistan and the Kingdom of Belgium.
Dear readers at the conclusion I would to note that the visit of Tajik delegation to the Kingdom of Belgium and Institutions of the European Community and reached agreements will open a new historical page in the further development of our bilateral mutually advantageous political, economic, spiritual, cultural, educational, humanitarian relations that undoubtedly give a powerful impulse in strengthening of regional cooperation and security, stabilization of the situation in Afghanistan.
The Republic of Tajikistan and the European Union have common noble purposes and we will use the best efforts for their achievement.
I wish you a well-being and success.
The Parliament Magazine - Issue 279
 Mon 8th Dec 2008
Brian Johnson
“The ratification of the PCA and the visit by our president to Brussels will send a signal to Tajikistan and our Central Asian neighbours regarding our ambitions”
Saymumin Yatimov, Tajikistan's EU ambassador
To be or not to be
Tajikistan’s future lies in its potential to become a hydroelectric powerhouse, the country’s EU ambassador tells Brian Johnson
With enormous reserves of water, fed by more than 14,000 glaciers and 2500 rivers, Tajikistan has the potential to be Central Asia’s electricity-generating powerhouse, according to the country’s EU ambassador, Saymumin Yatimov.
But the country desperately needs both economic investment and technical know-how to reap the benefits of its virtually inexhaustible water supplies. “We rank eighth in the world when it comes to potential hydropower resources,” says Yatimov.
“We produce around 16-17bn kilowatt hours (kwh) of electricity per year, but we need to produce at least 24bn to ensure the country’s sustainable economic development. We currently have a deficit in hydropower production of 5bn kwh, which unfortunately leads to power shortages during the winter period.”
The country produces more electricity than it needs during the summer months, and actually exports around 1.5bn kwh of electricity during this period, says Yatimov, but during the long and cold winter – this year temperatures dropped to as low as -25°C – hundreds of thousands of people in Tajikistan faced severe electricity shortages.
“During the Soviet period, there was a reciprocal agreement between the Central Asian republics where water and hydro energy produced in Tajikistan during the summer months was repaid in kind by supplies of gas and electricity from the ‘downstream’ countries during the winter period.”
But following the breakdown of the Soviet Union, this reciprocal arrangement collapsed, and currently, he says, the country is being forced to pay market rates for Uzbek gas supplies.
“We face a difficult situation,” he adds. Water is passed downstream to Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan and Turkmenistan during the spring and summer periods for agricultural irrigation, but with the collapse of the reciprocal arrangement, Tajikistan, where nearly two-thirds of the population is classified as poor, is facing another bleak winter. “We need the gas in Tajikistan, but we can’t afford market prices,” says Yatimov.
Following a bloody civil war that claimed the lives of more than 150,000, Tajikistan has, remarkably, emerged as one of the region’s most democratic states, and has even managed to bring the country’s hard-line Islamic parties into the democratic process.
But other than its vast energy potential, Tajikistan has few natural resources and a limited amount of workable agricultural land - more than 50 per cent of the country is over 3000 meters above sea level.
Last winter, the crippling cost of electricity, coupled with rising food, prices led to the UN’s world food programme calling for .3m to help feed the hundreds of thousands of people suffering from the worst winter seen in the country for 30 years.
Deteriorating relations with neighbouring Uzbekistan have not helped, as the Tajiks look to encourage inward foreign investment to develop their hydropower potential. Earlier this month, Uzbekistan closed its 1280km-long border with Tajikistan without explanation.
There has been no air traffic between the two countries for 16 years, and Uzbekistan has seeded the border with anti-personnel mines, which have killed or maimed dozens of people living in the remote border regions. According to Yatimov, the Uzbeks have also being doing everything in their power to stop hydropower development programmes within Tajikistan.
“At every level, Uzbekistan wants to challenge our plans to build new hydro plants. They have tried to politicise the issue,” says Yatimov. “Unfortunately the Uzbeks do not want to recognise the need to construct hydropower plants.
There has been considerable Uzbek resistance to Tajik plans to develop new hydropower plants.” Yatimov says the resistance comes from a belief that new hydro plants will somehow mean the Uzbeks will end up not receiving the water they need for agricultural production during the summer months.
“This argument has no scientific basis. We invited a number of German experts from the Brookings Institute to produce an independent report on the impact of constructing new dams, and they concluded that they would not damage the economic interests of Uzbekistan,” he explains.
“What would we do with the water? We cannot keep it locked up. Sixty-five per cent of water flowing through Central Asia originates in Tajikistan. We can’t hold on to this water.” Yatimov says that Tajikistan even invited Uzbekistan to join a water consortium to develop their Rogun hydropower plant, along with Iran, Russia, the World Bank and several Arab countries, but they declined to participate.
“The Uzbeks don’t seem to want to take into account the water we provide them with during the summer months. We don’t charge Uzbekistan for the water we supply them with. Both Tajikistan and the downstream countries can benefit from construction investment in hydropower. Unfortunately, yet again, we will have to buy gas from Uzbekistan at market rates this year.”
However, the climate is not all gloomy. The country looks set to benefit from a partnership and cooperation agreement (PCA) with the EU, expected to be ratified early next year. “There are only three countries - France, Italy and Greece - that have not yet ratified the PCA. But they are in the process of ratifying, and we expect the agreement to be concluded by mid-January. The PCA will provide the opportunity to increase our economic relations with the EU, and make it easier for EU countries to participate in Tajikistan,” he adds.
And with a state visit to the EU by president Emomali Rahmon lined up for early February, Yatimov believes Tajikistan can begin to turn a corner and start to become an energy-producing powerhouse in the region.
As the president said earlier this year, “to be or not to be”: that is the question facing Tajikistan. Without new development and investment in hydropower, it will be impossible for the country to continue on the road to economic and social stability.
“The ratification of the PCA and the visit by our president to Brussels will send a signal to Tajikistan and our Central Asian neighbours regarding our ambitions,” says Yatimov.
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