DUSHANBE, April 12, Asia-Plus -- President Emomali Rahmonov will address a joint session of Tajikistan’s parliament on April 20, Muhammadato Sultonov, a spokesman for the Majlisi Oli (Tajik parliament) said.  

We will recall that last year, Rahmonov addressing the joint session of the Majlisi Milli (Tajikistan’s upper chamber of parliament) and the Majlisi Namoyandagon (Tajikistan’s lower chamber of parliament) pointed to the necessity of strengthening social protection of the vulnerable sections of the population and intensifying the fight against the corruption.  Rahmonov called corruption the biggest drag on the country''s economy.  Rahmonov also hailed improved relations with Russia, citing an October 2004 agreement to set up a Russian military base in Tajikistan and Russian commitments to invest $2 billion in Tajikistan’s economy over the next five years.