Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov's opening remarks during talks with Foreign Minister of the Republic of Tajikistan Sirojiddin Mukhriddin, Moscow, February 13, 2025
13 February 2025 14:04
218-13-02-2025
Mr Minister,
Dear friend,
Colleagues,
We are delighted to have a new meeting with you that is intended for an all-round consideration of the state of affairs.
Russian-Tajik relations have always been based on friendship, mutual understanding and mutual assistance. It is easy to deal with all arising problems in an atmosphere of this kind. These problems do exist because the volume of ties is considerable. These ties develop in keeping with agreements reached and instructions issued by the presidents of our countries.
Russia and Tajikistan are time-tested allies based on a multifaceted interaction. Our relations develop progressively even in the present period, when the geopolitical situation is complicated, to put it mildly.
We appreciate the trust-based relations between President Vladimir Putin and President Emomali Rahmon. On December 24, 2024, they considered in detail the current issues pertaining to our relations and issued the necessary instructions to their respective prime ministers on the sidelines of the informal CIS summit in St Petersburg. Both countries' agencies, diplomats, and the economic and humanitarian divisions of their governments are working proactively to implement these instructions.
This year, we are celebrating the 80th anniversary of Great Victory in the Great Patriotic War. We appreciate that the Republic of Tajikistan displays a caring attitude towards the memory of the feat of valour committed by our peoples. The preparations, as we know, are in progress, including within the framework of multilateral organisations. At its meeting in Astana on November 28, 2024, the CSTO Collective Security Council reached an agreement on ceremonial regiments of CSTO member countries' armies taking part in the Victory Parade. We expect respected President Emomali Rahmon at the May 9 celebrations as per invitation from President Vladimir Putin.
I am confident that today's meeting will enable us to make more headway on issues that call for a solution towards enhancing the efficiency of our partnership in all areas, including in trade and the economy. Russia remains Tajikistan's major partner, ranking second in terms of investment in the Tajik economy. Multifaceted inter-regional ties are making a contribution of their own as well.
We collaborate in culture, the humanitarian area, and education. We appreciate your support for projects and initiatives to expand the accessibility of Russian-language education in Tajikistan. At the request of our friends, we have extended the governmental scholarship quota to 1,000 for the current academic year. This is one of the highest indices in our relations with foreign countries in this sphere.
As instructed by the presidents of Russia and Tajikistan, an intergovernmental agreement on building a centre for gifted children in Dushanbe and a new edifice for the Vladimir Mayakovsky Russian Dramatic Theatre has been signed. I know that the construction projects will come under way shortly.
I would like to note with satisfaction the high level of foreign policy coordination between our countries. We appreciate your support in implementing the priorities of the Russian CIS Chairmanship in 2024. Tajikistan took over this function as of January 1 of this year. We support your priorities. We have no doubt that your Chairmanship will be a success.
I would like to emphasise Dushanbe's role in promoting the "water" agenda internationally. We have supported your initiative to declare the current year an international year dedicated to the preservation of glaciers. We intend to take part in a relevant thematic conference being convened by Tajikistan.
We have a lot to talk about. I have mentioned certain basic topics figuring on the bilateral agenda. But there are also certain persisting problems in the Central Asian region, the Afghan problem, the Middle East affairs, and our cooperation in the OSCE and the UN. We see Tajikistan's objective, even-handed position of principle on the majority of problems, including the situation in Ukraine and around it.
As is usual with us, we will discuss everything frankly and in a comradely manner.
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