Tajikistan and Russia have signed an agreement on cooperation in the field of exploration and use of outer space for peaceful purposes.

Ms. Gulchehra Qohirova, Director of the Institute of Astrophysics of the National Academy of Tajikistan, says the agreement, in particular, provides for researching space debris in low-Earth orbit.  

Besides, the agreement is reportedly aimed at improving the legal foundation established in 1992-1993 and intensifying joint activities of the CIS member nations on exploring and using the outer space for peaceful purposes.    

Meanwhile, Russia’s Posolskaya Zhizn (EL) says as part of the working visit of the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Tajikistan Sirodjiddin Muhriddin an agreement was signed between the Government of the Russian Federation and the Government of Tajikistan on cooperation in the Field of Exploration and Use of Outer Space for Peaceful Purposes at the Grand Mansion of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Russia in Moscow on June 19, 2023. 

The agreement is reportedly of a framework nature and defines all the principles and norms necessary in practical terms for the expansion of Russian-Tajik cooperation in the field of exploration and use of outer space and the practical application of space systems and technologies for peaceful purposes. It regulates the procedure for the protection of intellectual property rights, issues of protection and exchange of information, export control, customs operations, protection of exported property, issues of handling various types of information and technology protection, as well as other conditions for joint activities.

The signing of the agreement is expected to facilitate the speedy transition to the practical implementation of Russian-Tajik cooperation in the field of space exploration and development in all areas of mutual interest. In accordance with the provisions of the agreement, the responsibility for its execution will be assigned to the State Corporation Roscosmos and the National Academy of Sciences of Tajikistan.