President of Tajikistan Emomali Rahmon: Mr Putin, members of the Russian delegation, I extend a warm welcome to you once again in Tajikistan.
Today’s meetings reaffirm our commitment to the agreements we have previously reached within the framework of our strategic partnership.
Russia remains one of Tajikistan’s principal political and economic partners. We cooperate closely in trade, the economy, culture, humanitarian sphere, and security.
Many issues find resolution through the Intergovernmental Commission; as you know, its latest meeting recently took place in Moscow.
Today, we will sign a new package of bilateral documents that will significantly strengthen the legal foundation of cooperation between our two countries. I am convinced that the outcomes of today’s talks will provide fresh impetus for collaboration between Tajikistan and Russia.
Once again, welcome. Mr Putin, it is my great pleasure to give the floor to you.
President of Russia Vladimir Putin: Thank you very much.
Mr Rahmon, thank you once again for the invitation.
We have just had the opportunity to speak face-to-face on the most sensitive issues, though this actually began yesterday evening.
I would like to express my gratitude for last evening, when, in a friendly atmosphere over a cup of tea, we were able to discuss calmly everything that concerns us – both regional matters and the most interesting and promising areas of our bilateral cooperation.
As I mentioned at the start of today’s proceedings, progress is being made across all areas under our fundamental 1993 Treaty on Friendship and Alliance.
Much has been accomplished during this time, and no less work lies ahead. Indeed, today we plan to sign a series of documents prepared by our teams, including during the visit of your Prime Minister to Moscow on April 23 this year, when a protocol was signed outlining further terms of cooperation across numerous fields, including energy.
So, thank you very much – to you and your entire team – for this joint work.
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