President of Tajikistan visits NATO headquarters
The President of Tajikistan, Emomali Rahmon, visited NATO headquarters and met NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen on Wednesday (10 April 2013). “We look to deepen our dialogue with you on Afghanistan. NATO and Tajikistan share a common interest in a stable and secure Afghanistan,” The Secretary General said.
Mr. Fogh Rasmussen told the Tajik President that the Alliance is counting on his country’s continued support as NATO prepares to end its combat mission in Afghanistan by the end of 2014.
“We greatly appreciate the support you have given to ISAF nations in granting over-flight rights and the use of Dushanbe Airport,” said the Secretary General.
Tajikistan was the first country in Central Asia to sign a transit agreement for the ISAF mission. NATO and Tajikistan last year signed an Individual Partnership Cooperation Programme, which aims to build cooperation in areas including the fight against terrorism, military education and training and democratic control over the armed forces.
Tajikistan and NATO also cooperate in the fight against narcotics through a training project set up by the NATO-Russia Council. Preparations are also under way to start a project to help Tajikistan dispose ammunition stocks near the Afghan border.
“I am convinced there is scope to expand this cooperation in the years ahead,” said Mr. Fogh Rasmussen.