The Kabul Tribune (KT)-- Russian President Vladimir Putin told Tajikistan's President Emomali Rahmon on Tuesday that Moscow remains in close contact with Dushanbe over security concerns related to neighboring Afghanistan, as the two leaders met on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit in Bishkek.
According to Anadolu Agency, Putin described relations
between Russia and Tajikistan as a “truly strategic partnership” during the
meeting.
“We are aware of your concerns about what is happening in
our neighboring country, Afghanistan, and we are in close contact on these and
other security-related issues,” Putin told Rahmon.
Tajikistan shares a long border with Afghanistan and has
repeatedly raised concerns about security developments across the border.
Rahmon said relations between the two countries were
developing successfully in a range of areas, including trade, security and
humanitarian cooperation. He said the two leaders would review bilateral
relations as well as pressing regional and international issues.
Putin also pointed to growing economic ties between Moscow
and Dushanbe, saying bilateral trade increased by 25.1% last year and rose by
another 25% during the first half of this year.
About 320 enterprises with Russian participation are
currently operating in Tajikistan, Putin said, adding that they provide
significant employment opportunities in the country.
He also said that more than 96% of transactions between
Russia and Tajikistan are now conducted in their national currencies.
Cooperation between the two countries also extends to
education and culture. Putin said about 6,000 children attend Russian-language
schools in Tajikistan, while more than 35,000 Tajik students are enrolled in
higher education institutions in Russia.
The meeting took place as leaders gathered in Bishkek for
the Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit, where regional security and
cooperation were among the issues on the agenda, including concerns related to
Afghanistan.
