Secretary General Kubis holds talks with Tajik authorities

DUSHANBE, 27 April 2001 - Following an invitation by the Tajikistan authorities, the OSCE Secretary General, Jan Kubis, has paid a two-day visit to Dushanbe, where he held talks with high-ranking Tajik officials on the current political situation in the country. Mr. Kubis highlighted the success of the Tajik authorities regarding the implementation of the General Peace Agreement, and stressed the importance of making further progress in the modernization of Tajik society and political life.

During his visit to Dushanbe on 25 and 26 April, Secretary General Kubis met Tajikistan's Head of State, Emomali Rahmonov, and Mahmadsaid Ubaidulloev, the Chairman of Majlisi Mili, the upper chamber of the Tajik Parliament. He also held talks with the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Talbak Nazarov, and representatives of Tajik political parties and movements.

Other meetings included the Deputy Commander of the Russian Border Forces in Tajikistan, the resident ambassadors of OSCE participating States, and representatives of international organizations present in Dushanbe.

In the discussions, the Tajik officials addressed the OSCE Secretary General on the general political climate in the country during the period of post-conflict stabilization. They informed him of the most recent important foreign policy steps undertaken by the Tajik Government in the last period, and provided an assessment of the situation in the region as well as on the further strengthening of the relations between the OSCE and Tajikistan. Mr. Kubis in turn reaffirmed the support of the international community in supporting Tajikistan during this post-conflict period.

For further information contact the Press and Public Information Section of the OSCE Secretariat, tel.: (+ 43-1) 514 36 180 or e-mail: [email protected]