Bilateral relations between the Republic of Tajikistan and the Republic of Austria

Bilateral relations between the Republic of Tajikistan and the Republic of Austria

On January 18, 1992 the Republic of Austria recognized independence of the Republic of Tajikistan and on March 25, 1992 diplomatic relations between Tajikistan and Austria were established.of Tajikistan’s Embassy in Vienna in December 1997 and Embassy of Austria to Tajikistan with the residence in Astana (Kazakhstan) in November 2007 is a striking illustration of mutual interest in further intensification of bilateral ties.

Legal Base of Bilateral Relations:

• Agreement between the Republic of Tajikistan and the Republic of Austria about the bilateral foreign economic relations (February 24, 1994 Vienna);
• Exchange of notes on recognition of contracts on the mutual relations signed earlier between the USSR and Austria (November 24, 1998 Vienna);
• Memorandum of Understanding on Scientific Cooperation (2005 Dushanbe);
• Agreement for the promotion and protection of investment between the Republic of Tajikistan and the Republic of Austria (December 15, 2010 Dushanbe);
• Joint Statement of the Republic of Tajikistan and the Republic of Austria on further strengthening of bilateral Relations (June 7, 2011 Vienna);
• Convention between the Republic of Tajikistan and the Republic of Austria for the Avoidance of Double Taxation and the Prevention of Fiscal Evasion with respect to Taxes on Income and Capital (June 7, 2011 Vienna);
• Agreement between national Olympic Committee of the Republic of Tajikistan and Olympic Committee of the Austrian Republic (June 7, 2011 Vienna);
• Memorandum of Understanding on Cooperation between SUE “Tojikaeronavigatsiya” and Austrian company “FrequentisAG (March 12, 2013 Dushanbe);
• Memorandum of Understanding between the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Tajikistan and Austrian company “ASKIN D&Co” on establishment of scientific cooperation in the health sphere (March 12, 2013 Dushanbe);
• Protocol amending the Protocol to the Convention between the Republic of Tajikistan and the Republic of Austria for the Avoidance of Double Taxation and the Prevention of Fiscal Evasion with respect to Taxes on Income and on Capital, signed at Vienna on 7 June 2011 (March 13, 2013
• Dushanbe);
• Agreement on cooperation between The Chamber of Commerce and Industry of the Republic of Tajikistan and The Austrian Federal Economic Chamber (March 13, 2013 Dushanbe);
• Memorandum of understanding between The Agency of Standardization, Metrology, Certification and Trade Inspection under the Government of the Republic of Tajikistan and Austrian Standards Institute (March 13, 2013 Dushanbe);
• Air Service Agreement between the Republic of Tajikistan and the Austrian Federal Government (October 14, 2014 Dushanbe).

Scientific, Educational and Cultural Ties

Despite of establishing diplomatic relations between the Republic of Tajikistan and the Republic of Austria in 1992 the history of these relations has started much earlier. In 1972 capitals of Carinthia, the Klagenfurt city and the Tajikistan capital Dushanbe city were established twin-cities relationships. It should be mentioned that Klagenfurt is the first European city to establish twin-city relationship with Dushanbe.

On March 22, 1989, a Protocol on cooperation between the Magistrate of the Klagenfurt city and the Executive Committee of the Dushanbe city was signed within the framework of the joint cooperation. Tajik national teahouse, as a symbol of friendship from Dushanbe city, was built in one of the most beautiful parks of the Klagenfurt. Also on March 13, 1993, another Protocol on cooperation between the cities of Dushanbe and Klagenfurt for the period 1993-1994 was signed.

addition, Klagenfurt was the first European city for Tajikistan footballers. the middle of 1990 two Tajikistan’s soccer players from FC “Pamir-Dushanbe” Alexander Azimov and Valeriy Tursunov played for SK Austria Klagenfurt.

On September 18, 2013 the Embassy of the Republic of Tajikistan to Austria, in order to strengthen contacts between Dushanbe and Klagenfurt, initiated trip and meeting in Klagenfurt.

In subsequent years, contacts between the cities were conducted on a regular basis. In June 2017, twin cities exchanged letters and congratulations on the occasion of the appointment of the new mayor of Dushanbe, Rustami Emomali.

Science is another important field of cooperation between Tajikistan and Austria. Memorandum of Understanding on Scientific Co-operation was signed between two countries. The Austrian scientists visit Tajikistan on October 2005.

Austrian political scientist, Ambassador Alfred Missong visited Tajikistan from May 29 to June 1, 2006 within the framework of cultural and educational cooperation. On the sidelines of this trip, Ambassador Missong had a number of lectures in Tajikistan’s high educational institutes under the titles of "The History of Austrian Diplomacy after 1945" and "The Austrian Presidency in the European Union".

The Diplomatic Academy of Vienna since 1997 with support of Government of the Republic of Austria, financial institutes and non-governmental organizations has been arranging the Special courses and trainings for young diplomats from CIS countries, including Tajikistan. During this period young diplomats from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Tajikistan participated at 6 courses and the last special training programme for Central Asian and Mongolian diplomats were held from June 19th till July 7th, 2017.

Experts from Ministry of Education of the Republic of Tajikistan twice visited (November 2010 and October 2013) Vienna with the study trips and exchanged information on the latest reform steps in the educational systems of countries including the formation of and in-service training for teachers.

courses to learn German language is another direction for educational cooperation between both countries and within several years, in collaboration with the Embassy of the Republic of Austria, learning of German language are conducted at Tajik Pedagogical University.

Days of Austrian Culture in Tajikistan with wide participation of representatives of the Austrian arts, culture and education has been organized on May 30 – June 1, 2011, in Dushanbe.

On 19 March 2013 celebration of "Navruz" and presentation of "The Tajik Golden Heritage" book authored by the Republic of Tajikistan’s Foreign Minister Hamrokhon Zarifi, took place in Palace Belvedere of Vienna.

During the event a short documentary movie about "Navruz" traditions in Tajikistan and country’s achievements in various sectors was displayed. In addition, during presentation photos from "The Tajik Golden Heritage" book were demonstrated.