Kazakhstan's OSCE chairmanship can contribute to stabilizing Afghanistan: Tajikistan Foreign Minister
How do you see the level of cooperation of Central Asian states with China?
I believe that the relations between Central Asian countries and China are leading ones as long as they are based on reciprocity. It often occurs in the modern world that the relations include some backgrounds. China is distinctive in it, since it doesn't base its relations on anything else, but follows positive, transparent and mutually beneficial policy that is very important for Central Asian countries. Certainly, China has deep historical roots, significant experience in foreign affairs. China is a country that invests in the economies of Central Asian states. According to forecasts, China can become one of the main investors in Central Asia.
How can Kazakhstan contribute to the solution of the Afghan problem?
The Afghan problem doesn't have a military solution. It is necessary to focus on socio-economic issues, activation of struggle against drug trafficking. If we don't solve these issues, the war in Afghanistan will last for ages.
The permanent thirty years' war turned the territory of Afghanistan into one of the main drug centers of the world. The giant "factory of death" annually increases the production of drugs, supplied to Europe and America, Asian-Pacific region and China through Central Asia and Russia.
All our five Central Asian states are the OSCE member states. Kazakhstan's OSCE chairmanship can make a great contribution to stabilization of the situation in Afghanistan. First of all this is strengthening of the border with Afghanistan through the establishment of so called "drug-secure belt". Besides, the OSCE can assist in personnel training. In particular, a school for border troops was established in Dushanbe with the support of the OSCE.
I believe, we will strengthen our cooperation in this field with the help of Kazakhstan's chairmanship in the Organization. Several projects were promoted by the OSCE in prior years but they didn't find a consensus in the Organization headquarters due to disagreements between states. A range of such projects on the Afghan border wasn't implemented as well. I think, it is necessary to revive them and Kazakhstan can play a positive role here.
How do you estimate the SCO activity in rapidly changing regional economic and political situation?
The SCO is one of the major organizations in Central Asian region. Its prestige grows year by year. The main reason of it is that according to the Charter and other documents of the Organization, the SCO is a uniting organization providing stability in the region and able to influence its neighborhood in the future, in particular, Afghanistan. In this context, the suggestions on strengthening the role of the Organization in Afghanistan were submitted for consideration repeatedly. They need to be supported. We put high hopes on the SCO and are interested in its strengthening in order to make it work in the field of security, economic and regional cooperation.
What do you think about the role of the Global Nuclear Summit in Washington for Central Asia states?
We support the initiative of Kazakhstan on formation of nuclear-free zones. Concerning the new proposal on location of the International Nuclear Fuel Bank in Kazakhstan I can say that we took it into consideration. It is necessary to study this initiative. I would like to note that we are close partners with Kazakhstan and will discuss an opportunity of participation and support of this initiative.
I would also like to say that we have big plans for the future. Current joint projects are mutually beneficial for both countries and serve to the interests of the whole Central Asian region.
You pay your visit to China on the eve of the 65th anniversary of the Victory in the Great Patriotic War...
The Great Patriotic War affected almost all families of our countries. I think that we should create very good conditions for veterans of our countries so they could live the rest of their lives with dignity. We must remember their merits despite any political changes. They deserve respect from our generation and youth.
Thank you for the interview!