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Beginning of trilateral talks

President of Russia Vladimir Putin: Mr Japarov, Mr Rahmon,

For a long time, we have been planning to meet in this format and have been coordinating a meeting. Finally, it was organized on the sidelines of today’s event. I would like to thank you for agreeing to talk, to meet in this format.

Of course, we have met before – face to face, one on one and all three. So, this is not something entirely new, but I still think it is important. I would like to note that Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan are our close allies. We are working very closely in international organisations and are strategic partners, without question. Suffice it to mention the million Kyrgyz citizens and two million Tajik citizens who live, study and work in the Russian Federation.

We have very close ties in many areas. Our trade is growing. We recorded a roughly 45 percent increase on both sides during the past year, and 20–30 percent in the first seven months of this year. This is trade on a very large scale.

Of course, we are interested in maintaining these conditions, or creating them anew where necessary, for the sake of steady, gradual development.

I am very happy to be meeting in this format.

Thank you once again.

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