Dushanbe. 19 August. “Asia-Plus” – Increasing cooperation between Tajikistan and the European Union was discussed during the meeting of Tajikistan''s president Emamali Rahman with Patricia Flor, EU Special Representative for Central Asia on Monday, 19 August. According to the President’s press office, President Rahman said that Tajikistan sees EU as a reliable partner on the in the international arena, and intends to increase its cooperation with the EU in the future.  

Both sides paid attention to the cooperation in the spheres of water resource management, energy, environment, transportation, and communication. The press service adds: “They expressed confidence that Tajikistan’s concrete proposals will be considered while developing the new strategy for Central Asia for 2014-2020.”

Mr. Rahman also met with the EU MP, the Head of the Parliamentary group on water issues, Christina Gutiérrez.

During the meeting, the Tajik leader stated that interests of all the regional countries on water and energy have been considered while developing the hydropower facility projects in Tajikistan.

It was underlined that in case of absence of hydropower stations and dams in Tajikistan, it would be impossible to develop thousands of hectares of land in the downstream countries.

Christina Gutiérrez stated that the EU will assist in resolving the hydropower problems in the Central Asian region.