Tajikistan, an ally of Russia, indicated, this Wednesday, June 7, not to consider joining an economic alliance led by Moscow which seeks to strengthen in Central Asia its now disputed influence, particularly since the invasion of Ukraine.
” Tajikistan’s membership in the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) is not on the agenda Tajik Foreign Ministry spokesman Chokhin Samadi told AFP. This statement comes after a two-day visit to Tajikistan by Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov.
The dashed hopes of Mr. Lavrov
On Monday, Mr. Lavrov had said “ hope that Tajikistan will soon realize for itself the advantages of joining the EAEU “, during a speech in the Tajik capital Dushanbe intended for soldiers of the 201st Russian military base, the largest stationed abroad. The UEE is an economic alliance bringing together five former Soviet republics (Russia, Kazakhstan, Belarus, Armenia, Kyrgyzstan).
” The question of Tajikistan’s collaboration with the EAEU was not raised during the meeting between Mr. Lavrov and the President of Tajikistan “Emomali Rakhmon,” nor during the talks between the two ministers from Foreign Affairs, the spokesperson added. He said the two sides had discussed stepping up cooperation in various fields.
Strengthening ties with China and the EU
Tajikistan is already a member of other political, economic and military organizations to which Russia belongs, such as the Commonwealth of EIndependent States, the Shanghai Cooperation Organization and the Collective Security Treaty Organization. This mountainous ex-Soviet republic is also getting closer to China, which is increasing its presence in Central Asia, but also wants to strengthen its economic relations with the European Union.
(With AFP)
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