OSCE trains Tajik and Afghan experts on energy diplomacy

DUSHANBE, 15 May 2013 – The OSCE Office in Tajikistan jointly with the Office of the Co-ordinator of OSCE Economic and Environmental Activities organized a training course on energy diplomacy for Tajik and Afghan officials and experts that concluded today.

The aim of the two-day course was to update participants on Tajik-Afghan energy co-operation and to facilitate dialogue between them.  Particular attention was paid to how Tajik electricity exports to and transit of electricity through Afghanistan can benefit its economy.

Hans Peter Larsen, the Deputy Head of the OSCE Office in Tajikistan, mentioned in his opening remarks that “energy co-operation between Tajikistan and Afghanistan is an area in which several OSCE participating States and other donors have a stake”.

“This is currently the largest area of direct Tajik-Afghan economic co-operation, with electricity deliveries being a good example of growing Tajik-Afghan cross-border trade.”

Three international trainers covered geopolitics, international best practices in energy diplomacy, reinforcement of co-operation among line ministries and civil society. Some 40 participants represented government, senior management electricity companies and main private sector energy actors operating in the two countries.