DUSHANBE, June 11, Asia-Plus – Itar-Tass – During his stay in St. Petersburg to attend the Economic Forum and informal summit of the CIS leaders, President Emomali Rahmon on June 9 met with his Russian counterpart, President Vladimir Putin.
According to presidential press service, their talks focused on state and prospects of further expansion of bilateral cooperation between Tajikistan and the Russian Federation. The two also discussed regional and international issues being of mutual interest.
During the meeting, the presidents expressed satisfaction with cooperation in military-technical and political spheres, and vowed to boost trade and economic relations between the two countries.
Presidential press service said that cooperation between Tajikistan and Russia in the field of energy, in particular construction of hydropower plants and exploration of oil and gas reserves in Tajikistan, had been one of major topics of the talks.
“Some projects are being realized successfully. Development of hydropower is very important for us. I think that we shall find points of contact in solving some of remaining problems,” Rahmon said.
The two are satisfied with a progress of construction of the Sangtuda-1 station in Tajikistan. It was noted that relevant structures of the two countries will meet in the near future to define ways of participation of Russia in construction of other hydropower facilities in Tajikistan.
According to presidential press service, the presidents noted that cultural center of Tajikistan will be opened in Moscow and Russian cultural center will be opened in Dushanbe in the near future.
“During the meeting, Vladimir Putin said that the issue of extension of a period of staying of Tajik citizens in Russia without registration will also be solved soon,” presidential press service said.
President Rahmon noted that the bilateral relations in the political and military-technical field are going successful, and practically there are no unsolved questions. “We should give a good impulse to the economic cooperation between the two countries,” the Tajik leader said. He proposed to Putin discussing results of their previous meeting and the progress of earlier reached accords.
Emomali Rahmon said that trade between Russia and Tajikistan increased by 44 percent last year. “There is a reserve of possibilities,” he said.
For his part, Putin noted, “I am sure that it will be interesting for you, considering the well developing economic relations. Our trade has grown by 60 percent at the beginning of this year alone, and the tendency is very positive even though it is not very impressive in numerical terms.”
Rahmon and Putin also discussed issues related to interaction within the CIS, the Eurasian Economic Community (EAEC) and the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO).
