Tashkent, Uzbekistan. Today (May 24) the International Institute of Central Asia (IICA) held an expert conference «Central Asia — European Union: a new agenda for security cooperation «. The conference co-organized by the IICA with the European Union. More than 100 representatives of ministries and agencies, diplomatic missions, analytical and research centers of Central Asian countries and the European Union participated in the conference.
The European side were represented by the Special Representative of the European Union for Central Asia Terhi Hakala, the coordinator of the European Union Bartjan Vegter, the Ambassador of the European Union to Uzbekistan Charlotte Adrian, the Chairman of the Working Group of the Council of the European Union on the fight against terrorism, as well as the coordinators of the programs and the heads of the projects financed by the European Union. and other experts of the structures of the European Union, who work in the format of the European Union — Central Asia.
Central Asian countries was represented at this conference by experts of analytical institutions, as well as representatives of ministries and branch offices.
Tajikistan was represented at the joint conference of Central Asia and the European Union by the head of the Department for the Study of Regional Security Issues Sharifzoda Saidhomid Safar and the head of the Department of Research on Sectoral Development Issues of the Center for strategic research under the President of the Republic of Tajikistan Murtazozoda Oraz.
During the conference, Sharifzoda Saidhomid spoke on the topic » Central Asia- European Union cooperation in the fight against security risks and threats: through Tajikistan eyes».
It was emphasized that Tajikistan is considered one of the initiative countries in terms of ensuring international and regional security, holding high-level international events on the fight against terrorism and violent extremism, illegal drug trafficking, financing of terrorism and border management, as well as recognition of the «Dushanbe Process». ” as an important platform for analysis and discussion of security issues, reflecting the great contribution of Tajikistan in solving international security problems.
Also, during the speech, were expressed the threats and challenges of the modern era, such as the unstable and uneven economic development, the expansion of international terrorism, drug and weapons trafficking, transnational organized crime, the expansion of political and religious extremism, as well as climate change and environmental problems.
At the same time, Sharifzoda Saidhomid expressed that along with these risks and challenges, there are also factors that threaten the national interests of Tajikistan, such as Tajikistan’s proximity to violent areas, sources of terrorism, extremism and drug production areas, as well as the expansion of activities terrorist groups and extremist parties and movements in the region.
It was revealed that within the framework of the «open doors» foreign policy, Tajikistan expresses its readiness to cooperate with all countries of the world within the framework of mutually beneficial interests. In this regard, it was said that Tajikistan considers the European Union as one of its important partners and will try to expand and develop long-term stable cooperation with this influential interstate alliance based on the method of mutual benefit.
It was emphasized that now Tajikistan has established multi-vector cooperation with various European institutions, including the European Parliament, the Council of Europe, the European Investment Bank and other organizations and structures. The parties also regularly discuss issues related to security within the framework of such programs as BOMCA, CADAP and LEICA.
Also, Murtazozoda Oraz spoke on the topic «Supporting the labor market as a priority for the economic development of Tajikistan» and expressed that the support of the labor market is an important factor in the economic development of the Republic of Tajikistan. In this regard, new jobs are created every year in the fields of agriculture, services, education and other fields.
In addition, in the era of globalization, the process of migration with deep knowledge is compatible with the speed of economic development of countries, and its growth is one of the main trends of the modern system of international relations.
Thus, with the implementation of the country’s strategic goals in a calm and political atmosphere, the issue of expanding productive employment is included in the «National Development Strategy of the Republic of Tajikistan for the period up to 2030», and the Government of the country takes stable steps to create a peaceful life with innovative methods.
It was revealed that the migration trend is typical not only for Tajikistan, but also for many developing countries. Therefore, the expansion of cooperation in all fields requires the European Union and the countries of Central Asia to strengthen their friendly relations in the field of migration.
Press Center of the Center
for strategic research under the
President of the Republic of Tajikistan
