Relations with Tajikistan

Security cooperation

Tajikistan played an important role in supporting the NATO-led International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan through the hosting of French military aircraft at Dushanbe Airport.

The Allies and Tajikistan also cooperate in the fight against international terrorism. NATO is supporting the country in its efforts to create an educational course on counter-terrorism for the Military Institute of the Ministry of Defence. Tajikistan also exchanges relevant expertise and information with the Allies.

Tajikistan has listed a number of units as available for NATO/PfP operations and training exercises. Participation requires a government decision in each individual case. Tajikistan is also seeking to enhance cooperation with NATO Allies in mine-clearing activities. The country has participated in a number of PfP exercises with NATO Allies and other partner countries.

Defence and security sector reform

Tajikistan aims to develop sustained and effective democratic control of its armed forces. In consultation with the Allies, the country is developing coordination procedures between the government, parliament and the military. It is also in the process of reforming its armed forces.  Cooperative processes with the PfP framework assist in achieving these goals and enhance the country’s ability to take part in peacekeeping or other operations alongside NATO forces. Tajikistan is also considering participation in the PfP Planning and Review Process (PARP) mechanism.

The Allies are available for consultations on Tajikistan’s efforts to consolidate its defence policies, strategies and relevant legislation. NATO is also ready to support the country’s efforts to modernise and mobilise relevant state resources. NATO and Tajikistan are working to further cooperate in strengthening the country’s border security and countering cross-border crime, especially drug trafficking. To that effect, Tajikistan has sent numerous personnel to attend counter-narcotics training sponsored by an initiative of the NATO-Russia Council.

Military education is a key area of cooperation. Joint efforts are ongoing to develop courses in several areas, including border security and control, as well as language training. NATO and Tajikistan continue to work on preparing selected individuals from the country for NATO-related activities and the possible introduction of Alliance standards in the country’s military education programmes. Tajikistan has sent officers to take part in NATO familiarisation courses and in various other courses at the NATO School at Oberammergau.

Tajik personnel also participate in a counter-narcotics training project launched by NATO and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) in 2015. The project involves five Central Asian states -- Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan -- as well as Afghanistan and Pakistan. It follows up on a similar initiative developed under the umbrella of the NATO-Russia Council which was suspended in the wake of Russian aggressive action in Ukraine.

A Trust Fund project to help eliminate stockpiles of large munitions and assess the security of weapons’ storage facilities was completed in 2015. An earlier Trust Fund project, completed in 2004, supported the destruction of over 1000 anti-personnel landmines.

Civil emergency planning

Tajikistan is working to further familiarise itself with Allied disaster-relief organisation and procedures in order to further develop its own capabilities. The country is creating its own disaster-relief operation centre and considering developing a small, NATO-compatible disaster-relief unit.

The Allies are working with Tajikistan in developing early warning systems for natural disasters. Individuals from Tajikistan have participated in NATO-run tactical and operational civil-military-cooperation courses.

Science and environment

Tajikistan is an active partner and has been engaged with the NATO Science for Peace and Security (SPS) Programme since 1996. Leading areas for cooperation include environmental security and disaster forecast and prevention. Border security and countering terrorism are other potential areas of cooperation.

Public information

Tajikistan and NATO are working together to increase public understanding of NATO and the benefits of cooperation. The country is also aiming to increase public awareness in support of defence and security reforms.

Networks with universities, non-governmental organisations, and the press and media are being enhanced through different activities, including participation in conferences and student forums. These include, among others, international conferences in Tajikistan and Tajik participation to yearly NATO-Afghan Student Forums.

NATO supports educational activities relevant to security and defence issues in the country. Since 2005, NATO’s Public Diplomacy Division has sponsored a summer academy in Tajikistan which brings together advanced students from around the country and beyond, to learn about and discuss international security issues.

Dialogue takes place within the framework of the Euro-Atlantic Partnership Council (EAPC). The NATO Secretary General’s Special Representative for the Caucasus and Central Asia conducts high-level political dialogue with Tajik authorities through regular visits to the country.

NATO and Tajikistan are developing practical cooperation in a number of areas through the country’s Individual Partnership and Cooperation Programme (IPCP), which is jointly agreed for a two-year period. Key areas include security and peacekeeping cooperation, especially counter-terrorism cooperation and border security, crisis management and civil emergency planning.

1992: Tajikistan joins the North Atlantic Cooperation Council, renamed the Euro-Atlantic Partnership Council in 1997

2002: Tajikistan joins the Partnership for Peace.

2003: Tajikistan is connected to the Virtual Silk Highway.

President Emomali Rahmon of Tajikistan makes his first visit to NATO Headquarters.

2004: NATO Secretary General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer visits Dushanbe.

The Allies sign a transit agreement with Tajikistan in support of the NATO-ISAF operations in Afghanistan.

Tajikistan completes destruction of over 1200 landmines under a PfP Trust Fund project.

2005: The annual NATO-sponsored Summer Academy in Tajikistan runs its first course.

2007: Foreign Minister Hamrokhon Zarifi visits NATO Headquarters.

A group of government officials from Tajikistan visit NATO Headquarters and the Allied Operational Command to explore possibilities to deepen cooperation with NATO in different areas.

2008: NATO expert team visits Dushanbe.

2009: President Emomali Rahmon visits NATO Headquarters.

2010:  President of Tajikistan, Emomali Rahmon, meets with NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen while in New York.

2013: President Emomali Rahmon visits NATO headquarters.