Written question asked by Viscount Waverley (Crossbench), in the House of Lords. It was answered by Lord Malloch-Brown (Labour) on Monday, 5 October 2009.

Central Asia: Regional Security

Question: To ask Her Majesty's Government what are their priorities towards Tajikistan as regards (a) regional security and stability, (b) good governance, and (c) energy security.

Answer: Tajikistan is the poorest of the former Soviet republics and is faced by rising economic hardship caused by a slowdown in growth and a fall in remittances, as well as the risk of overspill from the conflict in Afghanistan. Our main priorities there are good governance, democracy and human rights. The Department for International Development’s programme is worth about £6 million this financial year and is focused on private sector and rural development, good governance and improving the effectiveness of the international aid effort. DfID’s programmes also include some regional HIV/AIDS work. In 2008, the UK also provided significant emergency support in response to a major winter energy and humanitarian crisis.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 5061; 712 c375WA
Session: 2008-09
Notes: Answer received between Wednesday 22 July and Monday 27 July 2009.
Subjects: Energy supply Foreign relations Politics and government Security Tajikistan
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk