Deputy Prime Minister of Russia Alexei Overchuk and Prime
Minister of Tajikistan Kokhir Rasulzoda held a meeting of co-chairs of the
Intergovernmental Commission on Economic Cooperation between the Russian Federation and the Republic of Tajikistan.
The meeting was held via videoconference.
The parties discussed measures to further develop trade and
economic cooperation between Russia
and Tajikistan,
as well as cooperation in industry, energy, agriculture, communications,
regional cooperation, and culture.
Special attention was given to the bilateral interaction issues
laid out during the meeting between the presidents of Russia and Tajikistan on 27 December 2021. The
implementation of agreements reached at the seventeenth meeting of the Intergovernmental
Commission on Economic Cooperation was also discussed.
Alexei Overchuk stressed that Russia
and Tajikistan
were old strategic partners interested in a comprehensive dialogue.
“We cooperate closely in many areas, which is natural given our
high level of trade, diverse ties in industry and shared economic interests. In
April 2022, we plan to celebrate the 30th anniversary of diplomatic
relations between Russia and
Tajikistan.
This is a milestone where we can review our cooperation, including in the
economy; Russia is Tajikistan’s leading
trade and economic partner. The total volume of investment in the Tajik economy
is estimated at $1.6 billion. There are about 300 companies with Russian
participation operating in Tajikistan,
and we are taking steps to promote these positive dynamics,” the deputy prime
minister said.
Plans to further strengthen and maintain cooperation between
regions were also discussed.
“We have great potential to develop the interregional dialogue
in a wide range of economic sectors. About 60 Russian regions maintain trade
and economic ties with Tajikistan,”
Alexei Overchuk said. He called the conferences on interregional cooperation
between Russia and Tajikistan an
effective tool for expanding cooperation between the regions (the eighth
conference took place on 30 November 2021 in Bokhtar).
“Once again, the conference reaffirmed its status as a platform
where current issues of bilateral cooperation between Russia and Tajikistan can be discussed. I know
that the ninth conference will help further expand interregional ties between
the two countries,” Alexei Overchuk noted.
Cooperation between Russia
and Tajikistan
in cultural areas was noted as an important element of bilateral relations. The
discussion included the implementation of a project to build five schools in Tajikistan
where classes will be taught in Russian. They are scheduled to open in
September of this year.
The deputy prime minister noted that the two countries maintain
positive dynamics in developing Russian-Tajik cultural cooperation. They noted
the Days of Russian Culture in Tajikistan
among the key events, held with support from the Russian and Tajik culture
ministries.
The parties reaffirmed their interest in continuing a constructive dialogue to strengthen relations between Russia and Tajikistan in all areas of cooperation.
