DUSHANBE, 28.06.2022 (NIAT Khovar) — Today, the Palace of the Nation hosted talks between the Founder of Peace and National Unity — Leader of the Nation, President of the Republic of Tajikistan, Emomali Rahmon, and the President of the Russian Federation, Vladimir Putin, who arrived in Dushanbe on a working visit.

During the meeting, the heads of the two states discussed the state and prospects of the entire complex of the Tajik-Russian strategic partnership and allied relations.

The parties noted with satisfaction the positive trends in relations between the two countries over the past 30 years since the establishment of diplomatic relations.

The importance of maintaining a regular trust-based political dialogue and contacts at the highest and high levels was emphasized.

The high dynamics of the development of trade and economic cooperation, as well as business, cultural, humanitarian and other ties between the regions and the interaction of the two countries in the field of labor migration were noted with satisfaction.

In this context, the presidents noted the volume of mutual trade increased by 46.2 percent over the five months of this year compared to the same period last year.

The Russian Federation continues to occupy a leading position in the foreign trade structure of Tajikistan, for example, last year the growth of trade between the two countries amounted to 39 percent.

An agreement was reached to continue joint work on a mutually beneficial basis in order to further expand trade and economic ties. Appropriate attention was paid to the issues of preparation for the Investment Forum, which is scheduled for September this year in Dushanbe.

The heads of state highly commended the level of cooperation between the parties in the cultural and humanitarian field, in particular in the spheres of education, science, culture and healthcare.

The great work carried out in Tajikistan to maintain and develop the Russian language and culture, as well as the Russian educational space, was noted.

It should be pointed out that in Tajikistan the construction of five schools with Russian as the language of instruction is being successfully completed by Russia. It is expected that by the first of September they will be put into operation.

The leaders of Tajikistan and Russia, taking into account the real needs of today, recognized the need for further practical building up of the cultural and humanitarian component of cooperation between the two countries.

During the talks, special attention was paid to the development of the situation in Afghanistan and the situation on the Tajik-Afghan border.

In this context, Emomali Rahmon and Vladimir Putin discussed issues of expanding cooperation in the field of security, including through military and military-technical cooperation, as well as in the field of defense construction, especially in terms of modernizing the armed forces of Tajikistan and strengthening the protection of the Tajik-Afghan border.

A thorough exchange of views took place on other topical issues on the international and regional agenda.

The parties were unanimous in their opinion on the continuation of regular interaction on the above issues.