Relations with Tajikistan

  • Last updated: 21 Mar. 2019 12:08

NATO and Tajikistan have developed practical cooperation in many areas, including security and peacekeeping cooperation, the fight against terrorism, border security, crisis management and civil preparedness.

NATO and Tajikistan flags
  • Relations with Tajikistan started in 1992, when the country joined the North Atlantic Cooperation Council. This forum for dialogue was succeeded in 1997 by the Euro-Atlantic Partnership Council, which brings together all Allies and partner countries in the Euro-Atlantic area.
  • Practical cooperation began when Tajikistan joined the Partnership for Peace (PfP) programme in 2002.
  • Objectives for practical cooperation are set out in an Individual Partnership and Cooperation Programme (IPCP), which is jointly agreed for a two-year period.
  • The NATO Secretary General’s Special Representative for the Caucasus and Central Asia has conducted high-level political dialogue with Tajik authorities.

Key areas of cooperation

Tajikistan’s cooperation with NATO is mutually beneficial and includes:

Building capabilities and interoperability

  • Tajikistan has been working in consultation with NATO to reform its armed forces, including by developing greater coordination and democratic control between the government, parliament, and the military. This work aimed to enhance the country’s ability to take part in peacekeeping or other operations alongside NATO forces. Tajikistan has also participated in the PfP Planning and Review Process (PARP) mechanism.
  • Tajikistan has participated in a number of PfP exercises with NATO Allies and other partner countries. Participation requires a government decision in each individual case.
  • NATO and Tajikistan have cooperated on strengthening the country’s border security and countering cross-border crime, especially drug trafficking.
  • Cooperation in the area of military education activities has included sending Tajik officers to participate in NATO familiarisation courses to prepare them for NATO-related activities, as well as exploring the possible introduction of Alliance standards in the country’s military education programmes.

Wider cooperation

  • Tajikistan has worked with NATO to further develop its civil emergency and disaster response capabilities. Through NATO's Euro-Atlantic Disaster Response Coordination Centre (EARDCC), the country has participated in consequence management field exercises and offered assistance to nations stricken by earthquakes. When struck by natural disasters in 2009 and 2010, Tajikistan received assistance coordinated via the EADRCC from 14 nations and international organisations.
  • Tajikistan has sought to better familiarise itself with Allied disaster-relief organisation and procedures, including by participating in NATO-run tactical and operational civil-military cooperation courses.
  • Tajikistan has been engaged with the NATO Science for Peace and Security (SPS) Programme since 1996. Leading areas for cooperation have included environmental security and disaster forecast and prevention.
  • Another focus of cooperation has been to increase public understanding of NATO and the benefits of partnership. The Alliance has supported international conferences to enhance networking between universities, non-governmental organisations and the press and media, as well as educational activities aimed at university students.
  • A NATO Trust Fund project to help eliminate stockpiles of large munitions and assess the security of weapons storage facilities was completed in 2015. An earlier Trust Fund project, completed in 2004, supported the destruction of over 1,000 anti-personnel landmines.