Citing Russian Presidential Aide Yuri Ushakov, Russian RIA Novosti agency reports that Russian President Vladimir Putin and Tajik President Emomali Rahmon will exchange views on the presence of the Russian military base in Tajikistan, which is an important factor of stability and security in Central Asia.
The leaders of the two countries will also touch upon a number of international and regional issues being of mutual interest and prospects of collaboration within key multilateral organizations such as the United Nationals, the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO), the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) and the CIS, Ushakov told reporters.
Ushakov also noted that Putin would bestow the Order of Alexander Nevsky on Emomali Rahmon for a large individual contribution to strengthening of strategic partnership between Russia and Tajikistan.
Presidential aide noted that Putin will visit Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, and Kyrgyzstan on February 27-28. According to him, Putin's trip will mark the 25th anniversary of Moscow's diplomatic relations with the three Central Asian countries.
The Kremlin reports that Mr. Putin will make an official visit to Dushanbe on February 27 at the invitation of President of Tajikistan Emomali Rahmon. Mr. Putin and Mr. Rahmon will exchange views on the outlook for trade, investment, cultural, science and education cooperation between Russia and Tajikistan, and will discuss a number of regional issues. A package of bilateral agreements will be signed following the talks, according to the Kremlin.
Some Tajik experts consider that the issue of Tajikistan’s entry into the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) will be one of the main subjects of negotiations between Vladimir Putin and Emomali Rahmon in Dushanbe.
There is lots of speculation that Dushanbe may finally agree to become a member of the Union. Tajik authorities still have a cool stance toward the EAEU noting that they are still studying the issue and weighing all the pluses and the minuses of the possible entry into Union.
Another important subject that is expected to be discussed in Dushanbe is the regional security and the Russian side will probably raise the issue of the lease of the Ayni military airfield.
Meanwhile EurasiaNet.org reports that when Putin arrives in Dushanbe, it may be just to sign off on some relatively trivial trade and cultural agreements, or it may be the latest step in Moscow’s ambition to definitively cement another nation within in its sphere of economic and political influence.
