DUSHANBE , May 26, Asia-Plus - President Rahmonov today left for Russia for a working visit by invitation of his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin, according to information from presidential press service.   

The source says Rahmonov will have a meeting with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin in the Russian southern resort city of Sochi to discuss cooperation issues.  In the course of the talks the two are supposed to discuss a progress of implementation of agreements signed in October 2004 as well as prospects of further expansion of Tajik-Russian economic and trade cooperation.  The meeting will center on the completion of the construction of the Roghun hydropower plant in Tajikistan .  

Deputy Prime Minister Asadullo Ghulomov, Foreign Minister Talbak Nazarov, State Adviser to the Tajik President for International Matters Erkin Rahmatulloyev, Security Minister Khayriddin Abdurrahimov, Chairman of the Committee for Protection of the State Border of Tajikistan Saydamir Zuhurov, Energy Minister Abdullo Yorov and other officials are accompanying Rahmonov on this visit. 

A trade turnover of Tajikistan with the Russian Federation has amounted to US$130,693,900 over the first four months of this year, which is 38.3 percent more compared t the same period of 2005, according to information from Tajikistan ’s State Committee for Statistics.  Tajik exports have amounted to US$14.1541 million and imports from Russia have amounted to US$116.5398 million.