EU and Tajikistan held 11th Cooperation Council meeting in Brussels

The European Union (EU) and the Republic of Tajikistan held its eleventh Cooperation Council meeting on 19 November, in Brussels. The meeting was chaired by Sirojiddin Muhriddin, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Tajikistan and by Constantinos Kombos, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Cyprus, on behalf of Kaja Kallas, the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy.

The participants reviewed the state of play of bilateral relations, and addressed political and socio-economic developments, trade, investment and energy cooperation, as well as regional and international issues.

EU Council, 2025

Both sides welcomed the initialling of the Enhanced Partnership and Cooperation Agreement (EPCA) in Dushanbe in July 2025 and reviewed the state of play and next steps ahead of its formal signature. This agreement represents an important step forward for EU-Tajikistan relations, expanding the cooperation between the two sides into new areas and broadening the scope of interactions.

The participants reviewed their economic and trade relations, the security of energy supplies, and bilateral and regional cooperation under the Global Gateway strategy on areas such as energy, water and climate change, digitalisation, transport connectivity, and critical raw materials. The two sides assessed progress in implementing the 'Joint Roadmap on Deepening Ties between the EU and Central Asia', adopted in October 2023, and welcomed the upgrading of EU-Central Asia relations to a strategic partnership at the first EU-Central Asia Summit in Samarkand in April 2025.

EU Council, 2025

The meeting discussed issues of good governance, rule of law, and human rights. The EU encouraged Tajikistan to improve the protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms, and to combat all forms of discrimination. The EU expressed concern about pressure on human rights defenders and journalists, the lack of space for civil society, and emphasized the need for accountability for excessive force against protesters during the 2022 events in the Gorno Badakhshan region (GBAO). It also encouraged further efforts to prevent torture, improve prison conditions, and advance gender equality and the fight against sexual as well as gender-based violence.

The EU stressed that respect for rule of law, democratisation, human rights, accountability and predictability is key to enhance international trust in Tajikistan’s investment climate. It noted that effective reform implementation is vital for the country’s sustainable development and regional stability. The EU also highlighted the importance of a stability-oriented macroeconomic policy and further progress in public finance management as ways to improve the business environment.

The EU reaffirmed its continued support for Tajikistan’s political and economic reform agenda, while encouraging sustained progress in its implementation and in improving the socio-economic conditions of its population. The EU welcomed Tajikistan’s ongoing initiatives in the energy, environment, and water sectors, and called for honouring its commitments under the Paris Agreement.

EU Council, 2025

The two sides also touched on matters of regional and international security, the situation in Afghanistan and Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine. The EU invited Tajikistan to uphold international law by supporting Ukraine’s independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity, aligning with UN and EU positions, and continue close cooperation to prevent sanctions circumvention. The EU encouraged Tajikistan’s constructive engagement within the region. Tajikistan’s important role in the United Nations with regards to water diplomacy and climate change was equally acknowledged.