WEBVTT 1 00:00:01.560 --> 00:00:04.927 Mr President, colleagues, friends, 2 00:00:05.667 --> 00:00:09.906 We are pleased to have President of Tajikistan Emomali 3 00:00:09.906 --> 00:00:13.381 Rahmon here in Russia on an official visit. 4 00:00:13.381 --> 00:00:16.776 Relations between Russia and Tajikistan are built on strategic 5 00:00:16.776 --> 00:00:21.063 partnership and alliance, which are progressively developing 6 00:00:21.063 --> 00:00:24.804 on the basis of the traditions of friendship and mutual respect. 7 00:00:24.824 --> 00:00:29.511 I would like to note that our current talks with President Rahmon were 8 00:00:29.511 --> 00:00:31.891 businesslike and constructive. 9 00:00:32.611 --> 00:00:36.540 We discussed the entire range of Russian-Tajikistani relations 10 00:00:36.540 --> 00:00:41.246 and reviewed important regional and international matters. 11 00:00:41.246 --> 00:00:45.474 The Joint Statement adopted following the talks reflects our commitment 12 00:00:45.474 --> 00:00:49.982 to promoting mutually beneficial cooperation and expanding 13 00:00:49.982 --> 00:00:52.385 our interaction in a variety of areas. 14 00:00:54.405 --> 00:00:59.935 We focused particularly on trade and economic relations. 15 00:00:59.955 --> 00:01:05.436 Russia accounts for a quarter of Tajikistan’s trade and about one-third 16 00:01:05.436 --> 00:01:08.576 of total foreign investment in the republic, specifically, 17 00:01:08.576 --> 00:01:16.350 $1.6 billion. Trade is steadily growing adding nearly 25 percent last 18 00:01:16.350 --> 00:01:18.654 year to reach $900 million. 19 00:01:19.394 --> 00:01:25.253 Important decisions were made to improve mutual trade and investment 20 00:01:25.253 --> 00:01:30.997 and to support and implement joint business and infrastructure projects 21 00:01:30.997 --> 00:01:34.397 during the Russian-Tajikistani Intergovernmental Commission 22 00:01:34.397 --> 00:01:36.578 meeting held in Dushanbe in March. 23 00:01:36.578 --> 00:01:41.147 Russian-Tajikistani energy cooperation is going well. 24 00:01:41.147 --> 00:01:45.935 Russia almost fully covers the needs of Tajikistan’s 25 00:01:45.935 --> 00:01:47.108 economy in petroleum products. 26 00:01:47.108 --> 00:01:52.824 Moreover, energy product deliveries are exempt of export customs duties. 27 00:01:53.804 --> 00:01:57.576 The Sangtuda hydroelectric power plant that Russia helped build covers 28 00:01:57.576 --> 00:02:01.250 over 10 percent of Tajikistan’s energy needs. 29 00:02:02.350 --> 00:02:06.266 Currently, the possibility of the plant supplying 30 00:02:06.266 --> 00:02:09.884 electricity to other countries is being explored. 31 00:02:09.884 --> 00:02:13.971 Tajikistan is increasing its supply of agricultural produce 32 00:02:13.971 --> 00:02:15.508 to the Russian market. 33 00:02:15.508 --> 00:02:20.021 Last year, the country increased exports of food and farm produce 34 00:02:20.021 --> 00:02:24.591 to Russia by 40 percent, and in January-February 2019, 35 00:02:24.591 --> 00:02:26.089 by another 35 percent. 36 00:02:26.889 --> 00:02:30.688 The increase was largely due to the benefits and preferences provided 37 00:02:30.688 --> 00:02:33.441 by Russia, such as, for example, 38 00:02:33.441 --> 00:02:36.924 a 50 percent discount on railway transportation of fruit 39 00:02:36.924 --> 00:02:39.580 and vegetables from Tajikistan. 40 00:02:39.580 --> 00:02:42.729 The agreements reached on a simplified customs corridor 41 00:02:42.729 --> 00:02:46.754 and on the creation of a Russian wholesale distribution centre are 42 00:02:46.754 --> 00:02:51.653 to further improve access to the Russian market 43 00:02:51.653 --> 00:02:53.671 for Tajikistan’s agricultural products. 44 00:02:53.671 --> 00:02:58.012 Good prospects are opening up for cooperation in the aluminium 45 00:02:58.012 --> 00:03:02.893 industry, which is part of the backbone of Tajikistan’s economy. 46 00:03:03.653 --> 00:03:05.391 Under an agreement that has been signed, 47 00:03:05.391 --> 00:03:10.545 VTB Bank will assist the Tajik Aluminium Company in funding 48 00:03:10.545 --> 00:03:12.924 the purchase of raw materials, and in the future, 49 00:03:12.924 --> 00:03:15.694 the Russian bank may also be involved in modernising production 50 00:03:15.694 --> 00:03:18.076 and improving product quality at the company. 51 00:03:18.076 --> 00:03:21.369 I would like to note that in our country a lot is being done to ensure 52 00:03:21.369 --> 00:03:25.961 that Tajikistanis arriving in Russia and their families have decent 53 00:03:25.961 --> 00:03:28.361 conditions for living, studying and working, 54 00:03:28.361 --> 00:03:31.112 and that they feel safe and comfortable. 55 00:03:31.112 --> 00:03:33.614 This is important because about 1. 56 00:03:33.614 --> 00:03:37.898 2 million citizens of Tajikistan live and work in Russia, 57 00:03:37.898 --> 00:03:41.441 and the money they send home is a major source of support 58 00:03:41.441 --> 00:03:44.493 for the country's economy as well as for their families. 59 00:03:44.493 --> 00:03:47.673 I will also note that the Russian side is providing Tajikistan with 60 00:03:47.673 --> 00:03:52.377 significant donor assistance, including through the Russian 61 00:03:52.377 --> 00:03:55.038 Federation-UNDP Trust Fund for Development. 62 00:03:55.038 --> 00:03:58.594 Last year, $7 million were allocated, and this year – 63 00:03:58.594 --> 00:04:03.354 $4 million to help stimulate youth entrepreneurship, 64 00:04:03.354 --> 00:04:07.217 expand opportunities for less secure segments of the population, 65 00:04:07.217 --> 00:04:11.585 as well as assist in many other spheres of society in Tajikistan. 66 00:04:11.585 --> 00:04:15.204 Mr Rahmon and I, of course, thoroughly discussed the state 67 00:04:15.204 --> 00:04:18.351 and prospects of bilateral people-to-people cooperation. 68 00:04:18.351 --> 00:04:22.107 We agreed to further develop contacts in the cultural, 69 00:04:22.107 --> 00:04:25.162 research, and information areas. 70 00:04:25.162 --> 00:04:27.712 The activities of the Russian Centre for Science and Culture 71 00:04:27.712 --> 00:04:32.228 in Dushanbe, its branch in Khujand and the four centres of the Russky 72 00:04:32.228 --> 00:04:36.538 Mir Foundation are already contributing to these spheres. 73 00:04:36.538 --> 00:04:40.423 Our plans include opening an official office of the Russia Today agency 74 00:04:40.423 --> 00:04:42.293 in the Republic of Tajikistan. 75 00:04:42.293 --> 00:04:45.277 It is encouraging to see the high demand for Russian higher 76 00:04:45.277 --> 00:04:46.815 education in Tajikistan. 77 00:04:46.815 --> 00:04:51.011 There are a total of over 20,000 students from Tajikistan attending 78 00:04:51.011 --> 00:04:53.213 Russian universities, with another 8, 79 00:04:53.213 --> 00:04:55.980 000 studying at branches of Russian universities, 80 00:04:55.980 --> 00:04:59.993 including the Russia-Tajikistan Slavonic University. 81 00:04:59.993 --> 00:05:06.111 A total of 618 government scholarships were allocated to the republic 82 00:05:06.111 --> 00:05:09.438 for the 2018–2019 school year. 83 00:05:09.938 --> 00:05:13.462 Russia is also promoting the study of the Russian language 84 00:05:13.462 --> 00:05:17.913 in Tajikistan. Today, we signed an agreement to build five 85 00:05:17.913 --> 00:05:20.487 Russian-language schools in Tajikistan that meet the Russian 86 00:05:20.487 --> 00:05:23.503 Federation’s educational standards. 87 00:05:23.503 --> 00:05:27.890 There will be five schools open in five cities of the republic. 88 00:05:27.890 --> 00:05:31.545 The pilot project for sending Russian teachers to Tajikistan schools 89 00:05:31.545 --> 00:05:33.786 proved to be a success as well; 90 00:05:33.786 --> 00:05:38.578 we talked about this during today’s meeting. 91 00:05:38.578 --> 00:05:42.659 We are very grateful to our friends in Tajikistan for paying a great 92 00:05:42.659 --> 00:05:43.759 deal of attention to this. 93 00:05:43.759 --> 00:05:47.772 Today, everyone who have come to work in Tajikistan feels very 94 00:05:47.772 --> 00:05:50.865 comfortable, most of them say they would like to stay 95 00:05:50.865 --> 00:05:52.933 to continue working there. 96 00:05:53.713 --> 00:05:55.656 In our discussion of international issues, 97 00:05:55.656 --> 00:05:58.305 we noted that our two countries’ positions on key aspects 98 00:05:58.305 --> 00:06:01.945 of the regional and global agenda are close or identical. 99 00:06:01.945 --> 00:06:06.350 Russia and Tajikistan strive to coordinate actions in the integration 100 00:06:06.350 --> 00:06:09.839 processes that our countries are actively involved in. 101 00:06:09.839 --> 00:06:11.913 First and foremost, this regards the Commonwealth of Independent 102 00:06:11.913 --> 00:06:12.709 States, the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation 103 00:06:12.709 --> 00:06:13.626 and the Collective Security Treaty Organisation. 104 00:06:13.626 --> 00:06:17.286 We welcome Tajikistan’s desire to establish closer contacts with 105 00:06:17.286 --> 00:06:20.507 the Eurasian Economic Union not only in terms of the economy, 106 00:06:20.507 --> 00:06:26.040 trade and investment but also other areas of mutual interest. 107 00:06:26.040 --> 00:06:31.707 Russia supports Tajikistan’s chairmanship of the Conference 108 00:06:31.707 --> 00:06:34.197 on Interaction and Confidence Building Measures in Asia 109 00:06:34.197 --> 00:06:38.794 (CICA). We will gladly participate in the CICA summit that will be held 110 00:06:38.794 --> 00:06:42.770 in Dushanbe soon, this June. 111 00:06:42.770 --> 00:06:47.439 Of course, during our talks Emomali Rahmon and I also discussed 112 00:06:47.439 --> 00:06:49.369 the security situation in Central Asia, 113 00:06:49.369 --> 00:06:52.473 including in the context of the challenges and threats emanating from 114 00:06:52.473 --> 00:06:54.624 the territory of Afghanistan. 115 00:06:54.624 --> 00:06:58.746 We agreed to continue strengthening our defence, military-technical, 116 00:06:58.746 --> 00:07:03.036 counter-terrorism and counter-narcotics cooperation on both a bilateral 117 00:07:03.036 --> 00:07:06.063 basis and within the framework of the Collective Security 118 00:07:06.063 --> 00:07:12.087 Treaty Organisation. Both of us noted the importance of the Russian 119 00:07:12.087 --> 00:07:18.663 201st military base in maintaining peace and stability in Central Asia. 120 00:07:18.663 --> 00:07:22.962 Lastly, I would like to thank the President and our Tajikistani 121 00:07:22.962 --> 00:07:28.253 colleagues for the productive joint work and to express satisfaction 122 00:07:28.253 --> 00:07:34.674 with the good results achieved in the course of today’s visit as well 123 00:07:34.674 --> 00:07:39.790 as in the course of our ongoing work in general. 124 00:07:39.790 --> 00:07:42.684 On this note, I would like to thank our colleagues from both sides 125 00:07:42.684 --> 00:07:46.565 for their efforts in promoting bilateral relations. 126 00:07:46.565 --> 00:07:48.484 Thank you for your attention. 127 00:07:50.484 --> 00:07:54.160 Ladies and gentlemen, 128 00:07:54.160 --> 00:07:58.625 First of all, I would like to once again express my sincere gratitude 129 00:07:58.625 --> 00:08:03.213 to the Russian side for the invitation to come to friendly 130 00:08:03.213 --> 00:08:05.462 Russia on an official visit. 131 00:08:06.222 --> 00:08:10.032 Regular dialogue at the highest level allows us to not only 132 00:08:10.032 --> 00:08:16.289 substantively discuss the current issues and prospects of our strategic 133 00:08:16.289 --> 00:08:20.627 partnership, but also to thoroughly exchange views 134 00:08:20.627 --> 00:08:24.503 on regional and international matters. 135 00:08:25.823 --> 00:08:33.162 Following today's talks, an important package of bilateral 136 00:08:33.162 --> 00:08:35.806 documents was signed. 137 00:08:35.806 --> 00:08:41.071 Economic cooperation is the core of our partnership, 138 00:08:41.071 --> 00:08:46.736 so special attention was paid to trade and economic issues 139 00:08:46.736 --> 00:08:49.276 and investment cooperation. 140 00:08:49.276 --> 00:08:53.432 Russia remains one of Tajikistan’s main trade and economic 141 00:08:53.432 --> 00:09:00.337 partners today. Last year, trade between our countries grew by 9 142 00:09:00.337 --> 00:09:04.221 percent exceeding $1 billion. 143 00:09:04.221 --> 00:09:11.602 In this context, the further effective implementation of decisions made 144 00:09:11.602 --> 00:09:16.632 by the Intergovernmental Commission on Economic Cooperation 145 00:09:16.632 --> 00:09:18.567 is especially important. 146 00:09:18.567 --> 00:09:22.851 The Tajik side has reaffirmed the importance of implementing promising 147 00:09:22.851 --> 00:09:27.965 investment projects in the real sector of Tajikistan’s economy. 148 00:09:27.965 --> 00:09:34.361 We are focusing on establishing joint ventures in the consumer goods, 149 00:09:34.361 --> 00:09:42.154 food and mining industries, as well as in transport and tourism. 150 00:09:42.154 --> 00:09:47.582 We have presented a package of 50 investment projects to Russia, 151 00:09:47.582 --> 00:09:54.292 which cover a wide range, including the areas I mentioned. 152 00:09:54.292 --> 00:09:58.737 There are also great opportunities for cooperation in the fuel 153 00:09:58.737 --> 00:10:03.632 and energy and agriculture sectors in Tajikistan. 154 00:10:03.632 --> 00:10:10.922 Today we have signed documents on simplifying customs procedures 155 00:10:10.922 --> 00:10:19.060 for goods and vehicles moving between our countries 156 00:10:19.060 --> 00:10:24.482 and on the procedure and standards for phytosanitary control. 157 00:10:24.482 --> 00:10:29.824 These documents build the legal framework for a “green corridor, 158 00:10:29.824 --> 00:10:36.164 ” thereby creating favourable conditions for the mutual supply 159 00:10:36.164 --> 00:10:40.149 of goods, including environmentally friendly Tajik vegetables 160 00:10:40.149 --> 00:10:43.848 and fruit, to the vast Russian market. 161 00:10:43.848 --> 00:10:49.913 We also noted the need for the early completion of the preparatory work 162 00:10:49.913 --> 00:10:54.263 for establishing a wholesale distribution centre 163 00:10:54.263 --> 00:10:56.197 for agricultural products in Tajikistan. 164 00:10:56.197 --> 00:11:00.324 Interregional ties, which are constantly expanding in geographical 165 00:11:00.324 --> 00:11:03.992 scope, are another important element of the two countries’ 166 00:11:03.992 --> 00:11:06.074 economic cooperation. 167 00:11:06.074 --> 00:11:14.485 As of today, about 80 Russian regions have direct trade, economic, 168 00:11:14.485 --> 00:11:18.342 cultural and other ties with Tajikistan. 169 00:11:18.342 --> 00:11:21.553 We believe it necessary to further expand and promote 170 00:11:21.553 --> 00:11:24.414 cooperation in this sphere. 171 00:11:24.414 --> 00:11:28.172 Today the economy in Tajikistan is developing steadily, 172 00:11:28.172 --> 00:11:36.277 and annual GDP growth has remained at seven percent for the last 10 173 00:11:36.277 --> 00:11:40.375 years, which is a good macroeconomic indicator. 174 00:11:40.375 --> 00:11:46.763 We have set ourselves the goal to move our economy to an industrial 175 00:11:46.763 --> 00:11:50.310 and agricultural development model in the next 10 years. 176 00:11:50.310 --> 00:11:55.037 This will create new opportunities to develop mutually beneficial 177 00:11:55.037 --> 00:12:02.805 cooperation between regions, in various industrial sectors. 178 00:12:02.805 --> 00:12:08.957 Both sides have focused on cooperation in labour migration, 179 00:12:08.957 --> 00:12:15.734 with the primary goal of regulating migration between our countries 180 00:12:15.734 --> 00:12:21.713 and improving the living and working conditions of Tajikistani labour 181 00:12:21.713 --> 00:12:24.889 migrants and their families in Russia. 182 00:12:24.889 --> 00:12:28.081 Thanks to our joint efforts we have made marked progressed 183 00:12:28.081 --> 00:12:31.010 in addressing pressing issues in this sphere. 184 00:12:31.010 --> 00:12:33.643 It is noteworthy that in recent years, 185 00:12:33.643 --> 00:12:39.306 the number of labour migrants entering Russia from 186 00:12:39.306 --> 00:12:42.428 Tajikistan has been decreasing. 187 00:12:42.428 --> 00:12:45.927 For example, last year about 480, 188 00:12:45.927 --> 00:12:51.674 000 citizens of Tajikistan came to Russia for work, 189 00:12:51.674 --> 00:12:59.513 which is 50 percent less than the peak in the first years of this 190 00:12:59.513 --> 00:13:07.115 decade, when up to one million labour migrants moved to Russia. 191 00:13:07.155 --> 00:13:12.451 However, there are still unresolved issues in this area 192 00:13:12.451 --> 00:13:16.326 that demand our attention. 193 00:13:16.326 --> 00:13:20.124 We have discussed further ways to promote bilateral cooperation 194 00:13:20.124 --> 00:13:27.368 in culture, science, education and tourism. 195 00:13:27.368 --> 00:13:32.554 I would like to note that the Russian information space covers all 196 00:13:32.554 --> 00:13:37.544 regions of Tajikistan, which means it is part of our 197 00:13:37.544 --> 00:13:39.885 information space, too. 198 00:13:39.885 --> 00:13:43.288 Russian education and the Russian language are in an increasingly 199 00:13:43.288 --> 00:13:45.790 strong position in our country. 200 00:13:45.790 --> 00:13:49.616 Today, there are over 20,000 young people from Tajikistan studying 201 00:13:49.616 --> 00:13:51.728 at Russian universities. 202 00:13:51.728 --> 00:13:54.456 The Russia-Tajikistan Slavonic University and branches of leading 203 00:13:54.456 --> 00:13:57.077 Moscow universities such as the Lomonosov Moscow State University, 204 00:13:57.077 --> 00:13:59.893 the National University of Science and Technology MISiS 205 00:13:59.893 --> 00:14:01.729 (NUST MISiS) and the Moscow Power Engineering Institute, 206 00:14:01.729 --> 00:14:05.030 are successfully operating in Tajikistan as well. 207 00:14:05.030 --> 00:14:07.117 In accordance with relevant Presidential executive orders 208 00:14:07.137 --> 00:14:14.354 and Government resolutions, compulsory Russian language classes were 209 00:14:14.354 --> 00:14:18.655 introduced in general education institutions starting from second 210 00:14:18.655 --> 00:14:25.296 grade. Many pre-school institutions offer education in Russian. 211 00:14:25.296 --> 00:14:31.086 Ten universities have Russian philology or Russian language 212 00:14:31.086 --> 00:14:34.523 and literature departments. 213 00:14:34.523 --> 00:14:39.118 The country has dozens of general education schools as well as hundreds 214 00:14:39.118 --> 00:14:42.235 of classes that offer education in Russian. 215 00:14:42.235 --> 00:14:47.126 Therefore, we are grateful that Russia is prepared to accelerate 216 00:14:47.126 --> 00:14:54.282 the process of building five new Russian-language schools in Tajikistan. 217 00:14:54.282 --> 00:14:59.265 We commend the results of our countries’ cooperation in the sphere 218 00:14:59.265 --> 00:15:01.684 of countering global threats. 219 00:15:01.684 --> 00:15:07.592 In the field of security, we closely cooperate to combat terrorism, 220 00:15:07.592 --> 00:15:14.351 extremism, transnational organised crime and drug trafficking. 221 00:15:14.351 --> 00:15:19.917 Tajikistan and Russia are natural allies on this front, 222 00:15:19.917 --> 00:15:25.261 and we support further coordination of our competent 223 00:15:25.261 --> 00:15:28.570 departments’ actions in this area. 224 00:15:28.570 --> 00:15:31.803 Military-technical cooperation between Tajikistan 225 00:15:31.803 --> 00:15:34.300 and Russia is developing successfully. 226 00:15:34.300 --> 00:15:38.642 We are thankful for Russia’s continuous assistance in training 227 00:15:38.642 --> 00:15:43.494 personnel for our armed forces and in strengthening Tajikistan’s 228 00:15:43.494 --> 00:15:47.322 defense capabilities from the military-technical standpoint. 229 00:15:47.322 --> 00:15:51.977 Tajikistan is taking measures necessary for Russia's largest foreign 230 00:15:51.977 --> 00:15:57.678 military facility, the 201st military base, 231 00:15:57.678 --> 00:16:00.015 to operate effectively. 232 00:16:00.015 --> 00:16:03.571 The unique Okno [Window] optical electronic complex is 233 00:16:03.571 --> 00:16:06.544 successfully carrying out its mission, too. 234 00:16:06.544 --> 00:16:13.539 We view the presence of the 201st military base in Tajikistan as a key 235 00:16:13.539 --> 00:16:19.002 factor in collective efforts to ensure regional security. 236 00:16:19.002 --> 00:16:24.434 Afghanistan related issues are the focus of discussions 237 00:16:24.434 --> 00:16:27.239 on regional security. 238 00:16:27.239 --> 00:16:32.818 Events in Afghanistan directly affect the security level in our country 239 00:16:32.818 --> 00:16:34.875 and in the whole region. 240 00:16:34.875 --> 00:16:41.172 It should be noted that Tajikistan accounts for about 60 percent 241 00:16:41.172 --> 00:16:47.287 of the former USSR’s border with Afghanistan, this is 1, 242 00:16:47.287 --> 00:16:51.477 400 kilometres of the Tajik-Afghan border in difficult 243 00:16:51.477 --> 00:16:55.918 to control mountainous areas. 244 00:16:55.918 --> 00:17:00.314 The Tajik-Afghan section of the border is strategically significant 245 00:17:00.314 --> 00:17:06.100 in terms of ensuring security in the southern border area 246 00:17:06.100 --> 00:17:09.016 of the commonwealth. Tajikistan, 247 00:17:09.016 --> 00:17:13.779 which buffers security threats from that direction, 248 00:17:13.779 --> 00:17:18.923 makes a strong contribution to effectively countering them. 249 00:17:18.923 --> 00:17:22.792 Experience has shown that the problems in this neighbouring country 250 00:17:22.792 --> 00:17:25.383 have no military solution. 251 00:17:25.383 --> 00:17:30.016 Tajikistan is interested in a stable and prosperous Afghanistan 252 00:17:30.016 --> 00:17:34.162 and calls for peaceful solutions to its problems. 253 00:17:34.162 --> 00:17:39.526 In this respect, we talked about further joint efforts to assist 254 00:17:39.526 --> 00:17:43.495 in the restoration of peace and stability in Afghanistan through 255 00:17:43.495 --> 00:17:46.442 political and diplomatic means. 256 00:17:46.442 --> 00:17:51.739 We had a substantive exchange of views on regional 257 00:17:51.739 --> 00:17:54.061 and international issues. 258 00:17:54.061 --> 00:17:59.747 President Putin and I called for stepping up our collaboration within 259 00:17:59.747 --> 00:18:04.833 the UN, OSCE, SCO, CIS, CSTO and other multilateral 260 00:18:04.833 --> 00:18:07.472 cooperation organisations. 261 00:18:07.472 --> 00:18:12.589 Tajikistan is satisfied with the results of today’s talks. 262 00:18:12.589 --> 00:18:18.851 I was very happy to use this opportunity to invite Mr President 263 00:18:18.851 --> 00:18:24.005 to visit Tajikistan at his convenience. 264 00:18:24.005 --> 00:18:26.827 Once again, thank you very much, Mr President, 265 00:18:26.827 --> 00:18:29.692 and the people of Russia as represented by you, 266 00:18:29.692 --> 00:18:34.484 for the warm reception and traditional hospitality. 267 00:18:34.484 --> 00:18:36.417 Thank you very much.