Bilateral cooperation between Tajikistan and Austria
The Federal Republic
of Austria has diplomatic relations with the Republic of Tajikistan
since March, 25, 1992.
In early 70-s' under the initiative of City Council of Klagenfurt (Carinthia), an
Agreement of twin-towns between Dushanbe and Klagenfurt was concluded.
On the basis of these relationships on an extent of more than 20 years
relations between Tajikistan
and Austria
developed.
Republic
of Tajikistan inaugurated it's Embassy
in Vienna in
December, 1997.
Political
relations between Republic of Tajikistan and the Republic of Austria
are characterized currently by fruitful cooperation which has established
during meetings of Heads of the States and Heads of Foreign Ministries.
In 1997 the President of the Republic
of Tajikistan Emomali Rahmon has
visited Austria for
participation in the International Conference of the donor countries on support
to post-war development in Tajikistan
where he has met with former Federal President of Austria Mr. Thomas Klestil. They
have discussed wide-scope issues related to the prospects of bilateral and
multilateral cooperation.
On November,
24, 1998 during Conference of the donor countries on support to post-war
development in Republic of Tajikistan former Minister of Foreign Affairs Talbak
Nazarov and former State Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of
Austria Mrs. Benita Ferrero-Waldner have exchanged notes on recognition of
contracts on the mutual relations signed earlier between the USSR and Austria.
With the aim of development of trade and economic cooperation Austrian economic
delegation headed by Ambassador of Austria in Tajikistan
Mrs. Heidemaria Gurer visited Tajikistan
on December, 8-9, 2003. During Austrian visit Delegation had a number of official
meetings with Tajik officials as well as representatives of leading enterprises
and companies of Tajikistan.
Noting
mutual interest in further strengthening collaboration field of security and
international relations, it is agreed to conduct annual political consultations
in the capitals on rotation basis. Last Tajik-Austrian political consultations
which took place on 7 May 2009
inDushanbe showed
coincidence of views and approaches regarding threats and challenges as well as
means of political solution of regional conflicts including in Afghanistan.
Aiming to give an impulse to extension of bilateral relations in future, both
sides have reached an agreement to commence in 2010 negotiationson H.E. the President Emomali Rahmon official
visit to Austria.
On April, 26-28, 2005 under the initiative of Government of Republic of
Tajikistan the First session of the Tajik-Austrian Joint Commission on
bilateral economic cooperation has been conducted. As a result of this session
the proper Protocol has been signed.
On November
2005 and October 2008 meetings of representatives of Austrian enterprises with
Tajik businessmen have taken place in Dushanbe, during
which a wide spectrum of issues on bilateral trade and economic cooperation
between Tajikistan and Austria has
been discussed. Representatives from Trade Office of Austrian Embassy, Ministry
of Economy and Trade of Tajikistan and Tajik Chamber of Commerce and Industry elaborated
new proposals and approaches targeting at further strengthening of bilateral
trade and economic relations.
Visit of group of Austrian scientists to Tajikistan October, 2005 has given
a new pulse on development of cultural cooperation between two countries.
Second Session of the
Tajik-Austrian Joint Commission on bilateral economic cooperation took place in
Vienna from the
3rd to 4th of June 2008. Members of the Commission stressed mutual strong
willing for strengthening of bilateral cooperation in the fields of trade,
industry, energy, agriculture, forestry as well as scientific and cultural
relations and tourism. Both sides have reached an agreement to develop further cooperation
in the spheres of hydro energy, utilization of alternative renewable energy
sources, food-processing and training of professionals in different fields of
economy. Furthermore, considering the potential possibilities for enhancing
bilateral cooperation, both sides confirmed preparedness to continue collaboration
in sphere of education, health, information technology, science, prevention of
natural disasters and addressing it's consequences. During 2008 under the joint Tajik-Austrian initiative within the framework
of cultural and educational cooperation visits of Ambassador Alfred Missong and
performances of Austrian National Camera Orchestrain
Dushanbe has
been organized. During his visit ambassador A.Missong had a number of lectures
in Tajik high schools and MFA on "The History of Austrian diplomacy after 1945" and "The Austrian Presidency in the European Union".
Third Tajik-Austrian joint
Commission will take place on first half of 2010 inDushanbe. This event would review the
outcomes of last agreements and discuss long-tern cooperation in the field of
trade, industry, agriculture, tourism, medicine equipment, transport,
water-supply of Tajikistan
as one of water richest countries in the region. During upcoming discussions Tajik
interlocutors will focus on exploration, investigation, mining and processing
of oil, gas and coal in the territory
of Tajikistan, attraction
of direct Austrian investments to development of small and medium hydro energy,
utilization of alternative renewable recourses of energy etc. The issue of
soonest consideration and signing of bilateral Agreements on Investment
Protection as well as Double Taxation Avoidance would be also on the top of
Agenda of next joint Commission Meeting.
