ISTANBUL

Russian President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday expressed Russian companies’ interest in doing joint uranium exploration and production with their Tajik counterparts.

“We see good prospects in the mining industry. Russian companies are interested in joint geological exploration and the production of uranium, as well as rare metals, including lithium, with Tajik partners,” Putin told a press conference in Moscow following talks with his visiting Tajik counterpart Emomali Rahmon.

Saying that Russia's state-owned nuclear energy company Rosatom recently completed a project to rehabilitate an industrial uranium processing site in Tajikistan, Putin expressed his readiness to cooperate with the Tajik side on the use of peaceful nuclear technologies.

Putin pointed to the importance of Tajik migrants in Russia, saying that they contribute to the development of the Russian economy while also helping the Tajik economy through the money they send back.

Rahmon said he viewed his visit to Moscow as “an important step in further expanding the strategic partnership and alliance of our countries.”

He added that his talks with Putin were constructive and “traditionally took place in a trusting atmosphere.”

Rahmon said both countries favor stronger cooperation in trade and the economy, and that he and Putin discussed issues of expanding investment cooperation and agreed to implement large investment projects in various sectors of the economy.

Following Putin and Rahmon's meeting, eight separate documents were signed between the two countries to boost cooperation in various sectors, including industry, trade, transport, the economy, labor and science.

During the press conference, Putin also presented his Tajik counterpart with the country’s Order of Merit for the Fatherland for his contributions to strengthening Russian-Tajik relations. Putin signed the decree giving Rahmon the state award back in October 2022.​​​​​​​