The European Union and Tajikistan on July 18 initialed an Enhanced Partnership and Cooperation Agreement (EPCA), marking a significant step forward in deepening bilateral relations and strengthening long-term cooperation, the Delegation of the European Union to Tajikistan reported.
The EPCA represents a modern and ambitious framework for EU–Tajikistan relations, reflecting shared values and interests in areas such as political dialogue, rule of law, trade, sustainable development, connectivity, digital transformation, climate action, and security.
This new agreement, once signed, will replace the existing Partnership and Cooperation Agreement (PCA) in force since 2010, and is designed to offer a modern legal framework that supports Tajikistan’s reform path and aligns with the EU’s strategic priorities in Central Asia, as set out in the EU–Central Asia Strategy from 2019.
Key areas of enhanced cooperation include:
Good governance, judicial reform, and human rights
Sustainable economic development and regional trade integration
Energy efficiency and green transition
Digital policies, e-governance, and innovation
Education, skills development, and youth mobility
Connectivity and infrastructure, aligned with the EU’s Global Gateway strategy
Cooperation on regional stability, border management, and security
The negotiations of the EPCA were launched in February 2023. The initialling of the text confirms the successful conclusion of negotiations and opens the way for formal signature and ratification by both parties in the near future.
