“OVER THE PAST YEAR, THE BOND BETWEEN THE EUROPEAN UNION AND TAJIKISTAN HAS GROWN DEEPER, STRONGER, AND MORE AMBITIOUS. RECENTLY, WE HAVE WITNESSED A SERIES OF MILESTONES THAT REFLECT OUR COMMITMENT TO PROSPERITY AND STABILITY OF TAJIKISTAN.”

EUROPE DAY: A VISION THAT ENDURES

Today, we gather to mark Europe Day, and to celebrate the 75th anniversary of a vision that changed the course of the European continent and inspired hope across the world. The 75th anniversary of the European Union!

On the 9th of May 1950, then French Foreign Minister Robert Schuman delivered a historic speech that led to the creation of the European Coal and Steel Community so countries could share coal and steel production and make war ‘not merely unthinkable, but materially impossible’. It all began, as all great ideas do, with vision, courage and clarity.  Today we mark the day when one man dared to dream of a Europe no longer defined by war, but by cooperation. This Frenchman and a great European dared to dream of a continent, where nations would pool their resources, resolve their differences through dialogue, and rise stronger together.

We are living this vision today, the European dream that became a reality for around 450 million citizens of the European Union. A group of democratic states decided to form not only a common market, but also a political union, gradually becoming an economic anchor in a challenging world, and a place that hosts some of the most desirable places to live, work and raise a family.

THE EU AS A GLOBAL SYMBOL OF PEACE

During the years, our Union of 27 member states has become not just a political and economic alliance, but also a global symbol of peace, unity, and care for human dignity. The European Union is based on solidarity, a promise of stability, and is a reliable partner to all who share its values.

Unfortunately, the dream of the European Union as a peace project is not reality for all countries in Europe as Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine continues. No one wants peace more than Ukraine. Only a comprehensive, just and lasting peace for Ukraine can be the basis for restoration of the international security. A peaceful Ukraine can be an innovative powerhouse, a security provider and a reliable partner for energy and food security, for Central Asian countries, including Tajikistan.

While the world is changing rapidly, and is becoming more fragmented, contested and unpredictable, the European Union continues to engage constructively with countries around the world - working on sustainable solutions and on building partnerships. We proved to be a predictable partner open for fair business. Regardless of disruptions, the EU continues to defend and promote a rules-based international order, not the law of the strongest.

BUILDING STRONGER TIES WITH TAJIKISTAN

Building bridges and partnerships is so demonstrably visible here in Tajikistan. Over the past year, the bond between the European Union and Tajikistan has grown deeper, stronger, and more ambitious. Recently, we have witnessed a series of milestones that reflect our commitment to prosperity and stability of Tajikistan.

Soon after taking office, the new EU Commissioner for International Partnerships, Jozef Síkela, visited Tajikistan in March this year. Commissioner Síkela reinforced the EU’s commitment to this beautiful country and its people through key investments under its Global Gateway investment initiative, prioritizing energy and water nexus, addressing Tajikistan’s economic resilience in general, including green and digital transitions and infrastructure development.

We also witnessed the 20th European Union-Central Asia Ministerial Meeting in Ashgabat at the end of March. The new chief diplomat of the European Union, the EU’s High Representative for Foreign and Security Policy and Vice President of the European Commission, Madam Kaja Kallas, came to Central Asia for this Ministerial in her first months of being in office, showing how much importance European Union diplomacy and she personally gives to the region. On this occasion, High Representative Kallas stressed the importance of upholding commitments to the UN Charter and the rules-based international order, and reconfirmed that cooperation must be based on respect for the rule of law, democracy, and fundamental rights.

In April 2025, we had the first ever EU–Central Asia Summit in Samarkand — a landmark moment in our relations. With the participation of His Excellency President Rahmon and the Presidents of the European Council António Costa and of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen, the Summit raised our relationship to a new level — a strategic partnership between the European Union and Central Asia. It outlined a Joint Roadmap for cooperation in digital connectivity, climate adaptation, and water management. Another milestone is the finalization of negotiations on an Enhanced Partnership and Cooperation Agreement between the EU and Tajikistan.

This new framework agreement will widen and deepen our relations. It will create new possibilities in trade and investment, and enhance cooperation across foreign and security policies, as well as in economic and financial sectors. It will also open opportunities in climate change, green economy, sustainable resource management, employment, culture, education, and research. We look forward to its initialing in the coming weeks, paving the way for signature.

Our friendship is not just a dialogue. We provide real, tangible support for development needs. Between 2021 and 2027, the EU has allocated over 142 million EUR in grants and budget support for Tajikistan through its Multi-annual Indicative Programme. Since the start of our engagement, the EU’s financial support has reached 1.2 billion EUR, only from European Commission financing lines, from which Tajikistan directly benefits.

The Global Gateway is the key instrument of our cooperation. In this context, the EU focuses on inclusive green and digital economy, human development, and natural resources management, efficiency, and resilience. We place strong emphasis on reforms in energy, water, rural development, health, and education — working closely with the Government of Tajikistan, financing institutions, international organisations, and civil society.

Support for Tajikistan’s security is also an important part of our engagement. The EU is contributing to strengthening borders, building infrastructure, supporting communities along the frontiers with Afghanistan and Kyrgyzstan, and backing initiatives to prevent violent extremism and counter terrorism. One of our key goals is that Tajikistan benefits in full from this support. These are not just “projects” — they are long-term investments in Tajik people and in a prosperous future for the country.

SHARED VALUES, SHARED FUTURE

As many of you know, we are very serious when it comes to the protection of human rights, free media and environment in which civil society can work, in all parts of the world. Today I choose to focus on not what has been, but on what can be.

As we look ahead, let us remain inspired by the same vision that moved Robert Schuman seventy-five years ago: a belief that peace is possible, that unity is strength, and that cooperation across borders and respect for human rights and protection of human dignity is the surest path to progress.

The European Union is proud and honoured to be walking that path with Tajikistan - as steadfast and reliable partner in a changing world.

Here I sincerely thank the Government of Tajikistan for the cooperation, and all our partners – national and international – governmental and non-governmental, the people of Tajikistan. The success we achieved could not be possible without such fruitful cooperation. Last but not least, a big thanks goes to my team of the EU Delegation – great job!

May the next years bring even closer ties between Europe, Tajikistan and the entire Central Asia, and even brighter horizons for the people of Tajikistan.

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Edited from remarks given by the Ambassador on May 09th 2025 during the European Day.