DUSHANBE, January 21, Asia-Plus  -- Foreign Minister Hamrokhon Zarifi told journalists in Dushanbe on Monday that Tajikistan’s relations with the CIS states are developing dynamically and the Russian Federation remains one of strategic partners of Tajikistan.

According to him, a two-way trade between Tajikistan and Russia amounted to nearly $1 billion.   

“We pay a special attention to protection of rights of Tajik nationals staying and working in the Russian Federation,” the minister said, noting that 80 percent of staffers of the Tajik Embassy in Moscow were replaced.    

            Asked about possible changes in relations between Russia and Tajikistan with Dmitry Medvedev’s coming to power in Russia, Zarifi said, “No essential changes will take place, whoever comes to power in the countries.”  “If Dmitry Medvedev is elected as President of Russia, I am sure he will continue the present foreign policy,” the minister said.  

            Relations of Tajikistan with other CIS states are also developing dynamically.  “Thus, 11 bilateral cooperation documents were signed during President Rahmon’s visit to Azerbaijan,” Zarifi said.   

On the cooperation of Tajikistan with Central Asia’s states, the minister said that Turkmen President’s visit to Tajikistan last October had paved the way for expansion of cooperation between the two countries.  The two presidents endorsed a new five-year agreement reached in talks between the energy ministers of Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan on the supply and transit of 1.2 billion kWh of Turkmen electricity through Uzbekistan to Tajikistan during the winter months.

Asked about problems related to use of waters of cross-border rivers in Central Asia, Zarifi said that there was a special council for the cross-border rivers, which was dealing with seeking solution to that problem.  “It is to be noted that Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan have their interests that differ from interests of the countries located in the lower reaches of the rivers – Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan,” said Zarifi, “Therefore, it is necessary to seek compromise; otherwise it may cause political conflict.”        

Commenting on a visa regime between Tajikistan and Uzbekistan, the minister noted that Tajikistan came out for easing visa regime with all countries.  “We come out for easing the visa regime, but it depends not only on us,” Zarifi said.