DEVELOPMENT PARTNER PROFILE Embassy of the Russian Federation <strong>in</strong> the Republic of <strong>Tajikistan</strong> Bilateral Contact: Mr. Abdulatipov Ramazan Gajimuradovich Ambassador Extraord<strong>in</strong>ary and Plenipotentiary of the Russian Federation to the Republic of <strong>Tajikistan</strong> Tel: 235-98-27, 235-09-06, 235-70-65 Fax: 235-88-06 Email: rambtadjik@rambler.ru Website: www.rusemb.tj Organization Profile Diplomatic relations between the Russian Federation and the Republic of <strong>Tajikistan</strong> are established on April 8, 1992. There was concluded an Agreement on Friendship, Cooperation and Mutual Assistance (May 25, 1993). More than 100 <strong>in</strong>terstate <strong>in</strong>tergovernmental and <strong>in</strong>terdepartmental agreements were signed that regulate cooperation <strong>in</strong> political, economic, military, humanitarian and other spheres. Past and Current Programmes For the last years Russia has been actively <strong>in</strong>creas<strong>in</strong>g share hold<strong>in</strong>g <strong>in</strong> f<strong>in</strong>anc<strong>in</strong>g of large <strong>in</strong>ternational <strong>in</strong>itiatives <strong>in</strong>clud<strong>in</strong>g those under the aegis of «the Group of Eight». They <strong>in</strong>clude contributions to the Global Fund on fight<strong>in</strong>g HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria (40 million dollars <strong>in</strong> 2002-2008 as well as compensation to the Fund through 2010 of about 217 million dollars allotted before for implementation of Russian Projects), to the budget of the Global Initiative on liquidation of poliomyelitis (18 million dollars <strong>in</strong> 2003-2008), to the Global Action Plan on bird flu and pandemic flu (44,7 million dollars <strong>in</strong> 2005), to assist fight<strong>in</strong>g malaria <strong>in</strong> Africa (20 million dollars), to participation <strong>in</strong> fund<strong>in</strong>g of the regional group created for the CIS like FATF, to support Peace-Build<strong>in</strong>g Fund etc. Considerable funds are made for the Fund of <strong>in</strong>ternational partnership on energy "Global Village" (30 million dollars), Program "Education for Everyone" (7,2 million dollars). As to multilateral channels the largest amount of aid is provided <strong>in</strong> the form of loan-f<strong>in</strong>ance assistance rendered under the M<strong>in</strong>istry of F<strong>in</strong>ances of Russia. Russia wrote off or committed to write off the debt of develop<strong>in</strong>g countries of the total 11,3 milliard of dollars <strong>in</strong>clud<strong>in</strong>g 2,2 milliard of dollars under the НIPC Initiative. Dur<strong>in</strong>g 2003-2006 Russia made additional contributions to the Trust Fund HIPC of 25 million dollars. Besides, Russia considers the possibility of full writ<strong>in</strong>g of debts of poorest countries hav<strong>in</strong>g great debts on loans beyond the Official Development Assistance. As a result the debt of these counties is go<strong>in</strong>g to reduce by 750 million dollars. A conversion-exchange of debt obligations of <strong>Tajikistan</strong> to the Russian Federation was carried out (of the total about US$ 300 million) Russian contribution to the IDA <strong>in</strong> 2003-2014 made US$ 90 million. Repay<strong>in</strong>g a debt to IMF ahead of time, Russia permanently takes part <strong>in</strong> the Plan of f<strong>in</strong>ance operations of the Fund contribut<strong>in</strong>g funds used for credit<strong>in</strong>g to needy countries (SDR135 million <strong>in</strong> 2005 and SDR 66 million <strong>in</strong> 2006). There was taken a critical decision on participat<strong>in</strong>g <strong>in</strong> fund<strong>in</strong>g the IMF program aimed to assist<strong>in</strong>g poor affected countries by mak<strong>in</strong>g <strong>in</strong> 2006- 2010 a voluntary contribution of US$ 43,5 million. Russia also takes part <strong>in</strong> two other IMF programs: on emergency assistance to poorest countries suffered from natural disasters (US$ 1,5 million <strong>in</strong> 2005-2009) and a credit program on poverty reduction and growth facilitation (SDR 3,71 million <strong>in</strong> 2006-2008). In 2005-2006 the Government took a decision on <strong>in</strong>creas<strong>in</strong>g Russian voluntary contributions, <strong>in</strong> particular, GDP (US$ 11 million), United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (US$ 2.million), Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (US$ 2 million), <strong>UNDP</strong> (US$ 1,1 million), UNICEF (US$ 1 million), UN-Habitat (US$ 400 thous.), United Nations Population Fund (US$ 300 thous.) and others. Russia reserves the status of a big donor provid<strong>in</strong>g for humanitarian and extraord<strong>in</strong>ary assistance. Russian humanitarian assistance is carried out through multilateral channels <strong>in</strong> the form of provid<strong>in</strong>g food assistance jo<strong>in</strong>tly with the UN <strong>in</strong>ternational organizations . The Embassy conducts a series of measures directed at support of population of the Republic of <strong>Tajikistan</strong>, <strong>in</strong>clud<strong>in</strong>g: Jo<strong>in</strong>tly with the Council of Russian countrymen of <strong>Tajikistan</strong> and veteran organizations, different events are carried out which are devoted to Jubilee dates of outstand<strong>in</strong>g Russian culture representatives and memorable dates of Russian history. The Embassy annually arranges sanatory rest and educational trips on historic cities of Russia for countrymen children. The Embassy annually forwards retired countrymen for the sanatory rest and treatment to the sanatorium-resort <strong>in</strong>stitutions of Russia and <strong>Tajikistan</strong>. The Embassy cont<strong>in</strong>uously provides material assistance to poor population <strong>in</strong>clud<strong>in</strong>g veterans of war, work and retired persons. Conferences, Round-Tables, Forums on urgent issues as well as measures on safeguard<strong>in</strong>g languages and cultures of Russian Diaspores are regularly taken under support of the Embassy. The Embassy annually subscribes orig<strong>in</strong>al organizations of the Council of Russian countrymen to Tajik and Russian newspapers and magaz<strong>in</strong>es. Under support of the Embassy, concerts with participation of creative artistical teams are regularly held for the Russian Diaspora and assistance to the State Russian Dramatic Theatre by the name of V.Mayakovskiy is provided. The Embassy takes measures aimed to support Russian language <strong>in</strong> the Republic, <strong>in</strong> particular,: provid<strong>in</strong>g schools and universities of <strong>Tajikistan</strong> with textbooks, literature <strong>in</strong> Russian; skills improvement courses for Teachers of Russian <strong>in</strong> the schools under the Russian-Tajik (Slavonic) University; conduct<strong>in</strong>g Olympic competitions on Russian among pupils. In 2000-2006 considerable funds were allotted as humanitarian assistance for elim<strong>in</strong>ation of natural desasters concequenses <strong>in</strong> <strong>Tajikistan</strong> (US$ 350 million). Source: Aid Coord<strong>in</strong>ation and Project Monitor<strong>in</strong>g System Database © State Committee on Investments and State Property Management of the RT 52
DEVELOPMENT PARTNER PROFILE Future Programm<strong>in</strong>g Direction In 2008 the Embassy is go<strong>in</strong>g to render assistance of US$ 381,8 thous. for education development, workshops, Olympic competitions, treatment payment, material assistance for World War veterans and emergent medical aid to the population of <strong>Tajikistan</strong>. In 2008 over 37 thous. books will be delivered <strong>in</strong>clud<strong>in</strong>g textbooks and visal aids for rooms of the total 3.500.000 roubles. Under the World Food Program 355.000 ton of vegetable oil and 350.000 of pea will be delivered to Dushanbe and Khudjand. Source: Aid Coord<strong>in</strong>ation and Project Monitor<strong>in</strong>g System Database © State Committee on Investments and State Property Management of the RT 53
Change language