DUSHANBE June 24, 2008, Asia-Plus  -- Visiting Moscow Mayor Yuri Luzhkov intends to hold talks with President Emomali Rahmon and his Dushanbe counterpart, Mayor Mahmadsaid Ubaidulloyev, to discuss state and prospects of further expansion of bilateral cooperation between Moscow and Dushanbe. 

Mayor Luzhkov remarked this while speaking to reporters at the Dushanbe airport Monday afternoon.  He noted that he intends to attend events organized in Dushanbe within the framework of Days of Culture of Moscow that are being held here from June 23 to June 25.  

The Moscow mayor said that he also plans to discuss with Tajik authorities the labor migration issues in order to provide more favorable conditions for Tajik nationals working in Moscow. 

On the economic cooperation between Tajikistan and Moscow, Mr. Luzhkov noted that ”over the past year, trade between Moscow and Tajikistan has increased 1.7 times.  

            Asked about participation of Moscow companies in construction of the elite residential complex Pytakht-80 in Dushanbe, the Moscow mayor noted that along with elite residential complexes it is necessary to develop accessible housing in the Tajik capital.  “We have good experience in this direction,” said Luzhkov, “Every year, an overall space of some 5 million square meters in residential buildings is made available in Moscow.” 

            Dwelling on the elite residential complex Poytakht-80, which is being built by Moscow construction company, Luzhkov stressed that it is necessary to finish the complex, “because such a complex could be embellishment of any capital city.”  

Yesterday evening, Mayor Luzhkov attended an official opening of Days of Culture of Moscow that was held at the Kokhi Vahdat State Complex in Dushanbe.

Today morning, the Moscow mayor is expected to attend a ceremony of an official opening of the Youth Palace Poytakht.  Today, he will also hold talks with his Tajik counterpart, Mayor Mahmadsaid Ubaidulloyev, and President Emomali Rahmon.