DUSHANBE, 10.02.2021 (NIAT Khovar) – Tajikistan and Russia discussed migration cooperation in detail during the 17th meeting of the Intergovernmental Commission on Economic Cooperation, which took place on February 8-9 in Moscow.

The delegations were headed by the co-chairs of the commission Prime Minister of Tajikistan Kohir Rasulzoda and Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexei Overchuk.

The meeting focused on the measures of the Russian side to provide preferences for Tajik labor migrants during the pandemic.

The Tajik delegation raised the issue of the legal status of family members of labor migrants and students from Tajikistan, which remains uncertain.

The Tajik delegation requested that Russia consider the issue of legalizing the status of Tajik citizens who are barred from entering Russia for minor administrative offenses.

The delegations also considered a set of issues of cooperation between countries in the political, trade, economic, investment, cultural, humanitarian and other fields.

The parties agreed to take the necessary measures to expand Tajik-Russian economic ties and industrial cooperation, and to focus on development of new approaches.

The delegations also discussed cooperation in the field of agriculture. While considering the potential of Tajikistan in growing high-quality and environmentally friendly agricultural products, it was agreed to take the necessary measures to optimize and formalize transport and customs procedures in order to ensure uninterrupted supply of Tajik products to Russia.

In the field of industrial cooperation, the Russian side was offered to actively participate in the creation of joint ventures on the basis of industrial enterprises operating in Tajikistan, as well as on the territory of free economic zones.

The delegations agreed to increase the volume of cargo transportation. While considering the improvement of the sanitary and epidemiological situation in Tajikistan, the Russian side was asked to consider resuming air traffic between the countries.

An exchange of views also took place on the cultural and humanitarian cooperation. The sides agreed to hold the Days of Russian Culture in Tajikistan in 2021.

The parties noted the importance of the project on the participation of Russian teachers working in Tajik secondary schools, as well as the start of construction of five schools in Tajikistan with instruction in Russian.

Particular attention was paid to cooperation in the field of health care and ensuring the sanitary and epidemiological well-being of the population. The parties agreed to implement projects aimed at exchanging experience in the field of diagnostics, prevention and treatment of infectious diseases, organizing the activities of joint teams of doctors and their training.

While considering the rich natural and recreational opportunities of Tajikistan, the parties discussed issues of attracting tourists from Russia.