Relations between Russia and Tajikistan are an example of a truly strategic partnership and alliance. This was stated by Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov in an interview with the Khovar news agency in Tajikistan.
"Over the past 30 years, tremendous work has been done to build an effective model of interstate communication based on universally recognized norms of international law. Today, Russia-Tajikistan relations can be called an example of a truly strategic partnership and alliance," he said. - "The peoples of our countries are traditionally united by strong ties based on the common centuries-old history, on friendship and mutual trust."
Lavrov noted that the interaction between the countries in the modern format started forming in a turbulent period. "Our country was one of the first to recognize the independence and sovereignty of Tajikistan. The signing of the Protocol on the establishment of diplomatic relations on April 8, 1992, brought our cooperation to a fundamentally new level," he explained.
The minister stressed that the political dialogue at the highest levels between the countries is steadily developing. "Parliamentary exchanges are successfully progressing. We regularly organize the Inter-parliamentary Forum "Russia - Tajikistan: Potential of Interregional Cooperation" and conferences on interregional cooperation," he added.
Lavrov emphasized that joint efforts created and constantly improved a solid legal framework that covers almost all areas of cooperation: about 200 interstate and intergovernmental agreements, more than 80 treaties and memorandums at the interregional level.
Development of cooperation in trade and economy
In addition, the minister noted that Russia and Tajikistan are trade and investment partners, and the share of Russia in the foreign trade of the republic is over 21%. "A special role in this work is given to the bilateral intergovernmental commission on economic cooperation. Despite objective difficulties, in 2021 the mutual trade turnover increased by 44.7% compared to 2020 and amounted to more than $1.2 billion. In January-April 2022, its growth by 15.7% compared to the same period in 2021 - up to $408.8 million was recorded," the minister specified.
Lavrov pointed out that at the moment there are more than 300 enterprises with Russian participation working in Tajikistan. "The total volume of accumulated Russian investments in the republic's economy is $1.6 billion or 16% of the total volume of foreign investments in the country. Of these direct investments $0.8 billion or 17.7% of the total amount of direct investments," he explained.
According to the foreign minister, Russia and Tajikistan also "launched full-scale cooperation in the cultural and humanitarian spheres."
Cooperation in security
The minister noted that Russia and Tajikistan cooperate closely and coordinate efforts on issues of security and defense "both bilaterally and within the framework of multilateral organizations in the Eurasian space."
"Such conjunction of efforts contributes to maintaining stability not only in the Republic of Tajikistan, but also in all Central Asia," Lavrov pointed out. - "The mutual interest of our countries in counteracting new challenges and threats, including international terrorism, religious extremism and drug trafficking, objectively contributes to the development of consolidated approaches to the main problems of the regional and international agenda."
GSV "Russia - Islamic world"
Photo: Federation Council
Based on materials from TASS