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Author : I. Lyakin-Frolov
Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Russian Federation to the Republic of Tajik-
istan
IT WILL HARDLY BE an exaggeration to say that now
the Russian-Tajik relationships are on the upswing. This
contrasts particularly with some pause in their develop-
ment path, which lasted from late 2012 to the fall of 2013
and was due to the hammering out of the final details of
a key agreement on a Russian military presence in Tajik-
istan. However, once resolved, the interaction between
Moscow and Dushanbe received additional impetus prac-
tically in all spheres of activity.
An important and significant part of our relationship is
the notable recent intensification of mutual parliamentary ties. The boost came from the visits to
Tajikistan by the leaders of both houses of the Russian Parliament. One of the important results
of Matviyenko's visit was the restoration of the Inter-Parliamentary Cooperation Commission.
Shukurjon Zuhurov, Speaker of the Lower House of the Tajik Parliament, is to pay a scheduled
visit to Moscow in June. Then, in early autumn there will be another momentous event - the Con-
ference on Inter-Regional Cooperation, which will take place in Moscow and the Moscow region.
Let us not forget that Tajikistan is the only country with which Russia has an agreement on dual
citizenship (in effect since 1995), which allows citizens of Tajikistan to take up Russian citizenship
while retaining their Tajik citizenship. With this in mind, the Embassy annually handles up to 3,000
Russian citizenship applications.
For all the ranting from our detractors, Russian-Tajik relations are fully in keeping with both coun-
tries' strategic partnership status.
Although the leadership of Tajikistan conducts a multi-pronged foreign policy, Russia remains the
principal partner for Dushanbe on a wide range of interactions. This is due to historical ties. For al-
most the entire 20th century, we lived in one state.
Another very important aspect is the strengthening of the Tajik-Afghan border. In 2005, the Tajik
side took over its protection functions from Russian border guards. Russia's FSB (Federal Security
Service) border cooperation group has been operating in Tajikistan since then. It provides the nec-
essary support to the Tajik border guards.
FROM THE DISCUSSIONS with my colleagues, the Russian ambassadors to the region, an overall
picture of how to apply our efforts emerges and the partners' interest in enhancing multi-faceted
ties with Russia is clearly visible. This publication is seen primarily as an attempt to offer readers a
closer look at the situation in the field of many-sided Russian-Tajik cooperation. In recent years
we, together with our Tajik friends, have succeeded in accumulating a solid experience and it would
be unforgivable to miss the chance to multiply it.
Электронное приложение к журналу «
Международная жизнь
»
Russia-Tajikistan: Relations of Friendship and Strategic Partner-
ship