Strong will for peace is driving force in Tajikistan, say visiting OSCE Ambassadors
(OSCE)Heads of OSCE delegations on a visit to Tajikistan received a warm welcome by the local authorities in Kulyab. (OSCE) Photo details
DUSHANBE, 9 May 2003 - A group of Ambassadors representing five OSCE delegations - Bulgaria, France, Ireland, Norway and Sweden - ended a tour of several Central Asian republics in Tajikistan today.
"We have been impressed by the general mood and strong will for peace in Tajikistan", said Ambassador Krister Bringeus, head of Sweden's permanent delegation to the OSCE, in a meeting with Tajik journalists on 7 April.
"It has also been a pleasure to see the progress that has taken place in certain areas, especially the economy. However, there are three major challenges: drugs and illicit drug trafficking, border control and improvement of the education system."
During their stay in Dushanbe, the five Ambassadors met the Chairman of Tajikistan's Drug Control Agency, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, the Chairman of the Majlici Namovandagon (Lower Chamber of Parliament), the Deputy Prime Minister, the Chairman of the State Committee for Border Protection, and several representatives of political parties and international organizations. They also visited the Nurek hydropower station, the Moskovski border post on the country's border to Afghanistan, and the Nurek women's prison.
In their meeting with the Chairman of the State Committee for Border Protection, the Ambassadors said the OSCE was very interested in border management in Tajikistan and projects in the area would soon start working.
"We had very open and frank discussions", Ambassador Bringeus said. "There is still much to be done in the way of modernization of the institutions, fostering the market economy and enhancing civil society. But we believe that progress is being made."
Before arriving in Dushanbe, the OSCE delegation visited Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan.
"We have been impressed by the general mood and strong will for peace in Tajikistan", said Ambassador Krister Bringeus, head of Sweden's permanent delegation to the OSCE, in a meeting with Tajik journalists on 7 April.
"It has also been a pleasure to see the progress that has taken place in certain areas, especially the economy. However, there are three major challenges: drugs and illicit drug trafficking, border control and improvement of the education system."
During their stay in Dushanbe, the five Ambassadors met the Chairman of Tajikistan's Drug Control Agency, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, the Chairman of the Majlici Namovandagon (Lower Chamber of Parliament), the Deputy Prime Minister, the Chairman of the State Committee for Border Protection, and several representatives of political parties and international organizations. They also visited the Nurek hydropower station, the Moskovski border post on the country's border to Afghanistan, and the Nurek women's prison.
In their meeting with the Chairman of the State Committee for Border Protection, the Ambassadors said the OSCE was very interested in border management in Tajikistan and projects in the area would soon start working.
"We had very open and frank discussions", Ambassador Bringeus said. "There is still much to be done in the way of modernization of the institutions, fostering the market economy and enhancing civil society. But we believe that progress is being made."
Before arriving in Dushanbe, the OSCE delegation visited Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan.