DUSHANBE, 27.12.2021 (NIAT Khovar) – On the sidelines of an informal meeting of the heads of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) in St. Petersburg, the Founder of Peace and National Unity, Leader of the Nation, President of Tajikistan Emomali Rahmon met with the President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin.

The issues of development of Tajik — Russian relations of strategic partnership within the framework of the CIS were reviewed during the conversation.

President Rahmon expressed his satisfaction over the steady development of bilateral relations, the level of cultural and humanitarian cooperation, and the volume of trade between the two countries, which this year reached over $1 billion.

During the meeting the sides exchanged views on the use of vast opportunities in the fields of metallurgy, mining, construction, health care, pharmaceuticals, and other areas of the economic sector.

They proposed to establish a council for the attraction of Russian direct investment in the economy of Tajikistan and strengthening the work of the Intergovernmental Commission on Trade and Economic Cooperation to facilitate this process.

The leaders also had an in-depth discussion on the development and strengthening of cooperation in the field of energy, cultural and humanitarian ties, labor migration, science, education, culture, and health care.

The discussion also touched upon matters related to regional and international agenda and the situation linked with the humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan.

At the end of the meeting, the President Rahmon invited President Putin to pay an official visit to Tajikistan at a convenient time.