OSCE minorities commissioner welcomes Tajikistan's willingness to promote inter-ethnic relations
(OSCE)The OSCE's High Commissioner on National Minorities, Rolf Ekeus. (OSCE) Photo details
DUSHANBE, 24 July 2003 - The OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities, Rolf Ekeus, discussed the situation of national minorities, including issues related to education, language use and political participation, on a three-day visit to Tajikistan which ended today.
The aim of the visit was to learn more about the current nature of majority-minority relations in Tajikistan and to develop a dialogue with representatives of state structures and the civil society.
Mr. Ekeus discussed with President Emomali Rahmonov ways in which national minorities can further be integrated into the society and how greater stability can be promoted in the country. Issues of regional co-operation and the role of the international community, notably the OSCE, in fostering open and secure borders were also examined.
"The nature of my dialogue with Tajik authorities was open and constructive," said the High Commissioner, finishing his first visit to the Central Asian state. "I welcome the willingness of the Government to promote further reforms aimed to effect greater harmony between the majority and minorities in the country."
Mr. Ekeus also met the Chairman of the Upper Chamber of the Parliament, Mahmasaid Ubaydulloyev, State Advisor to the President on Social Issues, Ibrohim Usmonov and Minister of Education Safarali Radjabov, as well as other representatives of national minorities and NGOs.
The OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities was established in 1993, based upon a mandate to prevent inter-ethnic conflict within and between the participating States of the OSCE.
The High Commissioner focuses on minority issues that concern questions of security, among others by maintaining a process of dialogue and co-operation between different parties. The work of the Commissioner is based on the principle of confidentiality through silent diplomacy.
The aim of the visit was to learn more about the current nature of majority-minority relations in Tajikistan and to develop a dialogue with representatives of state structures and the civil society.
Mr. Ekeus discussed with President Emomali Rahmonov ways in which national minorities can further be integrated into the society and how greater stability can be promoted in the country. Issues of regional co-operation and the role of the international community, notably the OSCE, in fostering open and secure borders were also examined.
"The nature of my dialogue with Tajik authorities was open and constructive," said the High Commissioner, finishing his first visit to the Central Asian state. "I welcome the willingness of the Government to promote further reforms aimed to effect greater harmony between the majority and minorities in the country."
Mr. Ekeus also met the Chairman of the Upper Chamber of the Parliament, Mahmasaid Ubaydulloyev, State Advisor to the President on Social Issues, Ibrohim Usmonov and Minister of Education Safarali Radjabov, as well as other representatives of national minorities and NGOs.
The OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities was established in 1993, based upon a mandate to prevent inter-ethnic conflict within and between the participating States of the OSCE.
The High Commissioner focuses on minority issues that concern questions of security, among others by maintaining a process of dialogue and co-operation between different parties. The work of the Commissioner is based on the principle of confidentiality through silent diplomacy.