Anis H. Bajrektarevic is a Professor and a Chairperson for International Law and Global

INTERESTS & INFLUENCES OF MAJOR EXTERNAL ACTORS IN CENTRAL ASIA
42

---

The Turkey-Tajikistan relationships began in
1991 when Turkey recognized Tajikistan’s inde-
pendence and 60 protocols have been signed
between two countries since then and at the
time of this publication. The two countries since
2012 have focused their relationship on agricul-
ture and technology. 
Turkey’s trade volume in 2012 with Tajikistan
exceeded $500 million dollars. The country has
also engaged in “an agreement of cooperation
between the state television broadcasters of
the two countries, agreements of cooperation
between the ministries of agriculture as well as
energy,” a memorandum of understanding be-
tween banks, and a cultural exchange program
for the year 2013-2014.[89] Other cultural proj-
ects are facilitated by the Dushanbe Coordina-
tion Office of the Turkish International
Cooperation and Development Agency (TİKA)
and the Turkish Language Research and Appli-
cation Centre (TÖMER) in Dushanbe. 
Education still remains an issue for Tajikistan.
President Rahmon announced the closure of
the Gülen schools inspired by the teachings of
the Fethullah Gülen. The Gülen movement
schools were the top performing schools in the
nation. The schools underscore the conflict be-
tween Tajikistan’s government and the Justice
and Development Party (AKP). The closure of
the schools highlights the ongoing and escalat-
ing conflict between the AKP and the opposi-
tion in Turkey. Other Central Asian states have
already closed the Gülen Schools in the past.
The India-Tajikistan relationship has also ex-
panded in the realm of security, trade and en-
ergy creating a strategic partnership between
the two countries. Relations between the two
countries started after the collapse of the Soviet
Union and when India recognized Tajikistan’s in-
dependence in 1991. India’s relationship with
Tajikistan is the only successful example of
India’s “Connect Central Asia Policy” which has
left India without a robust strategic policy. 

---