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Following the talks, the two presidents witnessed the signing of a Protocol on Exchange of Documents on the Ratification of Agreement between the Russian Federation and the Republic of Tajikistan on the Status and Conditions of Presence of the Russian Military Base on the territory of the Republic of Tajikistan.

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President of Russia Vladimir Putin: Mr Rahmon, friends, welcome to Sochi!

I am happy to use this opportunity to meet with you as we prepare for the Olympic Games, to discuss our affairs and possibly even to complete some unfinished business. Although this – and I am referring to everything that has to do with the Russian military base – is not completion, but in a sense the beginning of a new stage of our cooperation, which will be more profound, more substantive and stable.

Apart from our military cooperation, which has become especially topical today in view of the planned international troops’ withdrawal from Afghanistan, no less important for us is the development of trade and economic relations and the extension of our contacts in the humanitarian sphere.

For us Tajikistan is undoubtedly a priority strategic partner. I am very happy to see you today and to discuss all these issues.

President of Tajikistan Emomali Rahmon: Thank you. Allow me to begin by expressing my sincere gratitude to you, Mr Putin, for your invitation to the opening ceremony of the Winter Olympic Games. I would like to congratulate you and all the people of Russia on this historical event.

Our meeting today, as you correctly noted, is a good opportunity to discuss all aspects of Tajikistani-Russian cooperation, including the fact that today we finalise the creation of a Russian military base in Tajikistan and launch a new stage in our strategic partnership.

Thank you.

The weather here is so good, while back in Dushanbe it is minus 20C with over 15 inches of snow. The weather has traded places, it seems.

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