By KUNA
Paris : French foreign minister Bernard Kouchner will be leaving on Thursday to Turkmenistan and then to Tajikistan where he will be holding talks there with top officials.
A statement for the French foreign ministry said here Wednesday that in Turkmenistan Kouchner will be taking part in the meeting of the EU Troika with Central Asian countries.
The statement added that this meeting comes within the framework of “implementing the European strategy in Central Asia, which was adopted in June 2007.” It indicated that the Minister will also be holding talks with the President of Turkmenistan, Gurbanguly Berdymuhammedov and his counterpart Rashid Meredov.
As for his visit to Tajikistan, the Foreign Ministry noted that Kouchner will be meeting President Emomali Rahmon and the Foreign Minister Khamrokhon Zarifi. These visits come within the framework of Frances preparations to take over the EU Presidency and that France will continue contacts with these countries with the aim of pursuing the implementation of the European strategy in Central Asia, according to the statement.
The statement stressed that “Turkmenistan and Tajikistan are two important partners for Europe, as well as for France. We wish to reinforce our relations with them.” The Central Asia Strategy, which was developed last year, indicates the EU’s growing commitment to this region and the growing relations with Central Asia. This is demonstrated by the increase of EUS contribution to the region between the years 2007-2013, reaching 750 million euros.