DUSHANBE, 27.01.2017. /NIAT «Khovar»/. Today afternoon, the Founder of Peace and National Unity — Leader of the Nation, President of the Republic of Tajikistan, His Excellency Emomali Rahmon received Igor Shuvalov, the First Deputy Chairman of the Government of the Russian Federation, who has come to Dushanbe on a working visit to attend a regular session of the Tajik-Russian Intergovernmental Commission for Trade and Economic Cooperation.

In the course of the talks, the parties discussed to summarize results of the Tajik – Russian Joint Intergovernmental Commission on Economic Cooperation and the current state of mutual relations and prospects for their further extension within the framework of strategic partnership.

President of the Republic of Tajikistan, for his part, stressed the importance of the results of the Intergovernmental Commission for the further promotion of cooperation between the two countries on the full range of cooperation.

In this context, it was noted that this year Tajikistan and Russia will mark the 25th anniversary of the establishment of their diplomatic relations, and during this period the strengthening and expansion of multifaceted cooperation with the key strategic partner — Russian Federation occupied and would continues to occupy a special place in the foreign policy of Tajikistan.

The head of our state, with a focus on a number of topical issues on the agenda of the Tajik-Russian bilateral relations, noted the importance of continued cooperation between the parties in expanding their trade and economic component, taking into account the real needs and existing opportunities.

The energy sector, agro-industry, mining and other areas of the real sector of the economy of Tajikistan have been named as promising areas.

Appropriate attention was paid to the issues of labor migration, including in terms of preparation and signing in the near future of a new package of documents aimed at strengthening the legal and social protection of migrant workers.

President of Tajikistan also pointed out the need for a mutually acceptable solution of the issues raised in the airline industry, which create difficulties for citizens and cast a shadow on the reputation of the strategic partnership between the two states.

In the context of further strengthening the relations of friendship, maintaining and enhancing the overall spiritual and cultural space of the peoples of the two countries, the President of Tajikistan emphasized the importance of cultural and humanitarian ties.

In this context, taking into account the sustained interest of Tajik citizens to obtain both higher and secondary education in Russian language, it has been expressed interest in increasing the quota for the study of young people in the Russian high schools on specialties demanded in our country.

The relevant issues of providing educational institutions of Tajikistan with Russian-speaking teaching staff, textbooks and manuals, as well as the expansion of the network of secondary schools with Russian as the language of instruction in the country were also touched upon.

In this regard, the President of Tajikistan expressed hope for support and practical assistance of the Russian side in promoting the solution of these issues.

At the end of the conversation, which took place in an atmosphere of constructivism and mutual understanding, the parties expressed confidence that the results of the session of the Intergovernmental Commission have a positive impact on the quality of the whole complex of the Tajik-Russian cooperation.