OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities visits Tajikistan

DUSHANBE/THE HAGUE, 25 November 2004 - Rolf Ekeus, the OSCE's High Commissioner on National Minorities, visited Tajikistan on 24 and 25 November to assess the situation concerning national minorities in the country.

During the visit, the High Commissioner focused on issues such as language, education and representation in the public life of the country. He emphasized the importance of national integration and of regional co-operation, including in the sphere of education.

He met representatives of a number of national minorities as well as Prime Minister Akil Akilov, Foreign Minister Talbak Nazarov, Deputy Minister of Education Khabibullo Boboev, the Presidential Adviser on Social Development and Relations with the Public Karomatullo Olimov and representatives of international organizations.

Ekeus previously visited Tajikistan in July 2003.