The official visit of the President of the Republic of Tajikistan H.E. Emomali Rahmon to the EIB / Signing of the first EIB loan

European Investment Bank (EIB) lends EUR 7 million to the Republicof Tajikistan, to finance rehabilitation of low and medium-voltage distribution network, consisting mainly of installation of electricity meters with ancillary equipment.

EIB President Philippe Maystadt, who signed the loan together with Tajikistan’s Minister of Finance Mr Safarali Najmuddinov,stated: “I welcome the fact that EIB funds will be supporting this flagship project that will contribute to the renovation of the electricity network, the reduction of distribution losses and the promotion of the economically sustainable development of the energy sector in the Republic of Tajikistan.”

The Tajik side estimates signing of this agreement as logical continuation of the constructive dialog between both parties and as actual support of its projects in energy sector by EIB.

At the same time the Tajik side expresses its hope that the result of conducted talks in EIB will serve for the real promotion of partnerships between both parties.

This first ever EIB loan provided in the Republicof Tajikistanwill finance the installation of electricity meters, with ancillary equipment to enable demand-side management and grid energy balance control and reduce distribution network losses and increase energy efficiency.

This project is a good example of cooperation between partner international financial institutions as it is being co-financed by the EIB and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EUR 7 million each) and also supported by a EUR 7m grant from Investment Facility for Central Asia.

Through cooperation in the fields of energy and the environment, the project will support the EU’s strategic development objectives and sustainable economic and social development in Tajikistanand in the wider region.

EMOMALI RAHMON IN EUROPEAN TOUR

Dushanbe, June 7. (NIAT “Khovar”, S.Saidov).-As we informed earlier, the President of Tajikistan Emomali Rahmon has visited several European countries with the official visits.

The visit of the President of Tajikistan Emomali Rahmon to Europebegan from StrasburgCityof France.

Here the head of the country Emomali Rahmon made statement in the European Parliament and met head and deputies of parliament and other structures of European Union.

In the morning of 6^th of June, the head of Tajikistan Emomali Rahmon held a talk with the Secretary General of Council of Europe, Thorbiørn Jagland and expressed him gratitude for his official invitation to pay an official visit to the oldest European structure - the Council of Europe.

Thorbjørn Jagland in his turn stated that, “You are the first head of the state from Central Asiavisited European Council and this is the good sign”.

Emomali Rahmon has expressed confidence that, “the results of this meeting will be new step on instructing of regular political dialogue between Tajikistan and Council of Europe and development of multi-faced, stable and long term mutual beneficial cooperation with its member states”.

During the talk around the political, economic, social, cultural, security relations and societal democratization process of Tajikistan, the fruitful talk was arranged.

Regarding democratization process of society, head of the country Emomali Rahmon stated that, “in addition to that, Tajikistanis situated in the beginning of this difficult and long task, already achieved essential results”. In particular it was stated that, “currently 8 political parties are functioning in Tajikistan, and five of them has their representatives in parliament. 404 newspapers and magazines (250 of then are private) and 44 radio and TV channels, which 28 are nongovernmental, are functioning in the country. The number of nongovernmental organizations, which number in the beginning of the independence period was 141, today reached 2 thousand and 350”.

With the satisfactory it was noticed that, “Today the relations of Tajikistan with the states of European continent, passed the phase of “mutual introduction” and “awaiting of mutual steps to each other” and through the joint efforts, gained new level and quality”.

Both sides expressed their strong readiness for expansion of economic, trade and investment cooperation, in particular pointing on strategic significance of realization of regional projects with the coverage of Afghanistanand SouthAsianStates.

Assistance to socio-economic development of Tajikistanthat is in the frontline of combating of terrorism, extremism, and illegal drug trafficking and translation crimes was declared significant for provision of regional security and stability.

The assistance of European Union for resolution of problems related to management of water and energy resources, broadening of transportation and transit opportunities of Central Asia, protection of environment, climate change and other urgent regional problems were also declared significant.

                                                                                                                   After the meeting, the convention on acceptation of the high level information of Tajikistanin Europewas signed. The President of Tajikistan Emomali Rahmon and Secretary General of Council of Europe Thorbiørn Jagland have signed the document.

In addition, the joint declaration of the Republicof Tajikistanand Council of Europe was declared, where the directions of future development of both sides are determined.

 Then the President of Tajikistan Emomali Rahmon and the Secretary General Council of Europe Thorbiørn Jagland have arranged press conference. Emomali Rahmon and Thorbiorn Jagland during the official statement and answers for the questions of the journalists have declared the prospects of development of relations of Tajikistan with the European Union and its member states broaden and hopeful.

Torbern Yagland stated that, the President of Tajikistan Emomali Rahmon is the first leader of the country from the Central Asian states, who visited the Council of Europe. He also highly estimated the role of Tajikistanin the central Asian Region and noticed the interest of Council of Europe and European Union on expansion of multi-form cooperation with Tajikistan. The president of Tajikistan Emomali Rahmon has invited Secretary General of Council of Europe Thorbiørn Jagland to pay an official visit to Tajikistan.