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Lithuanian Minister of Foreign Affairs Petras Vaitiekūnas continues the official visit to the countries of Central Asia. On 17-18 April the Head of Lithuanian diplomacy is paying a visit to Tadzhikistan.

Lithuanian Minister of Foreign Affairs was received by President of the Republic of Tadzhikistan Emomali Rahmon in Dushanbe. The President of Tadzhikistan indicated that Tadzhikistan with its open door policy and the implementation of a clear economic revival programme is interested to enhance cooperation in different areas with the European Union, as well as its member country Lithuania. The President of Tadzhikistan extended an invitation to President of the Republic of Lithuania Valdas Adamkus to come to Tadzhikistan.

During the meeting with Minister of Foreign Affairs of Tadzhikistan Hamrohon Zaripov Minister P.Vaitiekūnas discussed bilateral relations, issues of cooperation within the region of Central Asia, relations of Tadzhikistan and the European Union in the context of the EU strategy on Central Asia.

Minister P.Vaitiekūnas noticed that the countries do not take full advantage of cooperation possibilities and legal cooperation basis is insufficient. Lithuanian Minister of Foreign Affairs expressed hope that the visit organized on the eve of the 15th anniversary of establishment of diplomatic relations would be an important step and impetus to further develop and enhance bilateral relations of Lithuania and Tadzhikistan.

“Your country is of strategic importance in the region of Central Asia, as it shares quite a long stretch of border with Afghanistan and contributes to the effort of international community fighting against terrorism, drug traffic and seeking to establish stability in the region. I think that our countries together could effectively strive for the common goal of ensuring security and stability in the region,” said Minister P.Vaitiekūnas.

Highlighting the necessity to develop diplomatic relations in different areas the Head of Lithuanian diplomacy expressed hope that Tadzhikistan would accredit diplomats to a capital that is closer to Lithuania.  

The Ministers of Foreign Affairs of Lithuania and Tadzhikistan agreed to concentrate attention on bilateral agreements and accelerate the investment promotion and protection agreement. On 17 April the Ministers of Foreign Affairs of both countries signed a Protocol on cooperation between the Ministries of Foreign Affairs of Lithuania and Tadzhikistan.

“This agreement shall establish basis for the development of cooperation not only between the Ministries of Foreign Affairs, but also other institutions in the areas of policy, economy, culture, etc.,” indicated the Head of Lithuanian diplomacy.

The Minister of Foreign Affairs of Tadzhikistan welcomed the fact that the delegation headed by Minister P.Vaitiekūnas includes 17 Lithuanian businessmen. During the meetings the opinions were exchanged on cooperation in the areas of  agriculture products processing and marketing. Minister P.Vaitiekūnas invited Tadzhikistan’s agriculture and food industry companies and organizations to participate in the yearly international exhibition of agriculture and food industry AgroBalt 2007.

Minister P.Vaitiekūnas informed officials of Tadzhikistan about the capabilities of Klaipėda port.

“The traditional silk road could lead via Tadzhikistan to Lithuania,” said Lithuanian Minister of Foreign Affairs.

Lithuania as a member country of the EU, according to Minister H. Zaripov, could contribute to the development of cooperation in the area of education. During the meetings with heads of educational institutions possibilities of promoting cooperation between educational institutions and initiating student exchange programmes were discussed.

Tadzhikistan is also interested in cooperation in the area of energy, especially in the hydro energy development and modernisation, making use of alternative sources of energy. 

The experts of Tadzhikistan and officials from Lithuanian Ministries of National Defence, Transport and Communications, Agriculture discussed certain areas of cooperation in more detail.

Lithuanian Minister of Foreign Affairs P.Vaitiekūnas thanked for Tadzhikistan’s support to Lithuania’s aspiration to chair the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) in 2010 and invited the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Tadzhikistan to come to Lithuania.

During the meeting with the Chairman of the Upper Chamber of the Parliament of Tadzhikistan Mahmadsaid Ubaidullaev the possibility of developing parliamentary cooperation was discussed.