22-23 May 2007

NATO envoy visits Tajikistan and Kazakhstan

Robert Simmons, NATO's Special Representative for the Caucasus and Central Asia, visited Tajikistan and Kazakhstan on 22 and 23 May to discuss ongoing cooperation and issues of regional security.

Afghanistan was a key focus of discussions with President Rahmon and other senior officials in Tajikistan on 22 May. The Special Representative sought Tajikistan's views on the situation there and on the role other regional actors cound play to help stabilise the country.

Defence reform

He also highlighted the potential for increasing cooperation with Tajikistan in the Partnership for Peace (PfP) framework in areas such as defence reform, civil emergency planning and science. Possibilities for NATO/PfP Trust Fund projects aimed at the safe destruction of landmines were also discussed.

While in Tajikistan, Robert Simmons had the opportunity to attend a roundtable discussion with Tajik university students of international relations. The event was organised by a non-governmental organization called Vector Intellect  and co-sponsored by NATO's Public Diplomacy Division.

In Kazakhstan on 23 May, the Special Representative participated as an observer in the civil emergency exercise 'KAZPAS 2007', which was held near Almaty. On that occasion, he also held talks with Deputy Defence Minister Sembinov on NATO-Kazakhstan cooperation in the area of defence reform.