Tajikistan in the Vatican’s Policy: Main Directions

Abstract

After the disintegration of the USSR, newly independent states, including the countries of Central Asia, found themselves in the spectrum of attention of non-regional powers. The Vatican, which is focused on achieving long-term objectives, also began to show interest in the Central Asian countries. One of the states that received increased attention from the Vatican was Tajikistan. This Central Asian country occupies an important geographical position. The interest of the Holy See in the mentioned country is based on political, cultural and religious factors. In particular, political factors have had a significant impact on the Vatican’s policy toward Tajikistan, as the country is of significant interest. At the same time, religious considerations also played a role. The Vatican views Tajikistan as an important component in the formation of a religious community in Central Asia. Using a systemic analysis, the article reviews the Vatican’s policy towards Tajikistan. The author examines the historical background of bilateral relations, which have been developing consistently over a long period of time. The stages of institutionalization of Catholic structures in Tajikistan are highlighted. Particular attention is paid to the development of Tajik-Vatican relations in recent years. The research concludes that the Vatican expects to further expand its presence in this Central Asian country, using various mechanisms to promote its interests. The Vatican’s policy fits into a general trend among extra-regional actors interested in expanding their influence in Central Asian countries.