DUSHANBE, April 5, Asia-Plus -- Tajikistan has asked Russia for writing off its $27 million debt, First Deputy Foreign Minister, Saymoumin Yatimov, announced at a news conference at the MFA in Dushanbe on April 4.  

Russian Ambassador to Tajikistan Ramazan Abdulatipov confirmed this fact and noted that the Russian side is currently considering this issue.  

Speaking to journalists, Abdulatipov said that Russia and Tajikistan have expanded their economic cooperation.  He underlined the importance of opening of the Russian trade representative office in Tajikistan for further development of trade and economic ties between the two countries.  

“Compared to 2005, a two-way trade between Russia and Tajikistan increased by 44 percent and amounted nearly $500 million in 2006,” the Russian diplomat said.