Comment by the Information and Press Department on Foreign Minister of Tajikistan Sirodjidin Aslov’s official visit to Russia
From April 8 to 9, Foreign Minister of the Republic of Tajikistan Sirodjidin Aslov will make an official visit to the Russian Federation.
He will hold talks with Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and a cooperation programme between the foreign ministries of the two countries for 2018 will be signed during the visit.
Topics to be discussed during the talks include current issues of bilateral relations, and prospects for the further development of cooperation between Moscow and Dushanbe in political, trade, economic and cultural spheres. The ministers will also exchange opinions on matters related to the international and regional agenda that are of mutual interest. In addition, particular attention will be paid to interaction within regional formats (the CIS, the CSTO and the SCO). We support Dushahbe’s intention, as chair of the CIS in 2018, to improve the organisation’s activities in order to increase the effectiveness of the commonwealth and its international reputation.
Tajikistan is Russia’s strategic partner and ally in the Central Asian region. Russian-Tajik relations are marked by an intensive and trust-based political dialogue; they are traditionally friendly and are developing in various areas.
In 2017, Russia and Tajikistan celebrated the 25th anniversary of their diplomatic relations, and the occasion was marked by a visit by President Vladimir Putin to Dushanbe.
In the past 25 years, Russian-Tajik interaction has developed confidently and steadily because of the deep bonds of friendship and trust, the common historical past and shared interests of their peoples.
Russia is Tajikistan’s leading economic partner. Its share in the republic’s foreign trade is the largest, at some 25 per cent. Russia also ranks first in terms of accumulated investment in the Tajik economy: $1.6 billion, or 20 per cent of total foreign investment.
The Intergovernmental Commission for Economic Cooperation is operating well (co-chairs are Russian First Deputy Prime Minister Igor Shuvalov and Tajik Prime Minister Kokhir Rasulzoda). The next, 15th meeting of the commission will take place in late April 2018 in Moscow.
Russia’s largest investment project in the republic is Sangtuda 1 Hydroelectric Power Plant, which is making a significant contribution to the Tajik economy, providing 12 per cent of the country’s electric power.
Work in underway to expand the access of the Tajik agricultural products to the Russian market. Russia is interested in ensuring that high quality foods from Tajikistan fill in the niches that appeared following Moscow’s response to Western sanctions.
Regional cooperation is a significant part of the multifaceted Russian-Tajik interaction. This year, the key platforms for dialogue between Russian and Tajik regions will be the 6th conference for interregional cooperation, scheduled for June 1, and the forum, Russia-Tajikistan: Interregional Cooperation Potential, which will take place on October 25.
Defence, military technical and counter drug trafficking cooperation is important as well. These areas are prioritised with regard to the threats and challenges coming from Afghanistan, which has a 1,300 km-long border with Tajikistan.
Russia’s 201st military base serves as a shield, protecting against the spread of extremism, terrorism and illegal drug trafficking. Our military presence in Tajikistan is the largest beyond Russia and is an important factor in the stability and security of Central Asia, meeting the interests of all CSTO allies.
Russia considers long-term and mutually beneficial interaction in migration very important. Each year, there are around 1 million Tajik citizens in Russia. The relevant legal framework is being improved, as well as the conditions for Tajik citizens staying in Russia.
Russian higher education is in demand in Tajikistan. In all, over 15,000 Tajik citizens study in Russia. The branches of Russian universities (Lomonosov Moscow State University, the MISIS National University of Science and Technology, and the MPEI) and the Russian-Tajik (Slavic) University also accommodate more than 7,000 students.
Projects are being implemented to send Russian teachers to Tajikistan and build five schools that employ Russian educational standards.
The Days of Culture of our countries are traditionally meaningful cultural events. Days of Tajikistan’s Culture in Russia will be held in autumn, 2018.
