DUSHANBE, October 23, 2009, Asia-Plus – Russia media reports had predicted a cool reception for President Rahmon in Moscow, noting that Rakhmon”s decision to end the use of Russian and his demand that as an official language added to tensions with Moscow and his demand that Russia pay $300 million in a rent for a military base. Besides, days ahead of the visit, Emomali Rahmon called efforts under an agreement to build hydroelectric power plants in Tajikistan “unsatisfactory” and criticized Gazprom for delays in natural gas exploration and production in the country, Russia’s news agency RIA Novosti reported.
But speaking at a news conference after the talks in the Kremlin, Russian President Dmitry Medvedev called bilateral ties “friendly” and “those of allies.”
The two presidents pledged to settle differences on energy projects, a military base and the Russian language”s status in Tajikistan.
President Rahmon said: “Diverse relations with Russia are a priority in Tajikistan”s foreign policy. Ties with Russia are not a standard format of cooperation between two states, but a responsible, long-term strategic choice.”
The Tajik leader dismissed reports on restrictions on the use of the Russian language in his country, and said its status would not be reviewed. Both presidents also pledged steps to promote Russian in Tajikistan.
“We understand only too well that for decades Russian has been a door to science and a means of communication with a larger world for Tajikistan, and losing this capital would have been to our detriment,” Rahmon said.
