DUSHANBE, August 25, Asia-Plus -- The Tajik-Russian inter-parliament forum is dedicated to become an important step towards further expansion of many-sided and fruitful cooperation between the two countries, Tajik President Emomali Rahmonov remarked inaugurating the forum.   

According to him, the forum will allow raise a level of confidence between the two countries on all key issues.  Rahmonov hailed activity of Russian parliament in regulating migration issues.   

“Relations between our countries are based on a solid foundation of friendship and mutual understanding,” said Rahmonov, “At present our task is to bring cooperation between our countries to a new level meeting realities of the present time.” 

The president noted that parliaments of the two countries should work out an adequate legal foundation of further expansion of bilateral cooperation between Tajikistan and the Russian Federation.  He stressed that Tajikistan and Russia should harmonize their customs and cargo shipment laws.   

“We attach an important significance to Russia in Tajikistan’s projects, which are of statewide importance,” Emomali Rahmonov said.  He highly appraised activity of the Unified Electric Systems of Russia (RAO YeES) and expressed satisfaction with a progress of the construction of Sangtuda-1 hydropower plant in Tajikistan, which is funded by RAO YeES. 

At the same time, Rahmonov noted that relations between economic entities of the two countries were still on low level.    

“Relations between Tajikistan and Russia are a factor stability and security in the region and aimed at facilitating development of the regional cooperation,” the president added, reiterating that Russia is the main strategic partner of Tajikistan.