Presidents of Russia, Belarus, Tajikistan, Azerbaijan discuss advancing interstate relations - Kremlin

MOSCOW. March 17 (Interfax) - Russian President Vladimir Putin, Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko and Tajik President Emomali Rahmon, had a phone call with their Azerbaijani counterpart Ilham Aliyev, and the four leaders agreed to meet in Moscow on May 9, the Kremlin press service said in a statement.

"A warm and friendly conversation took place, during which the leaders discussed a number of current matters of advancing interstate relations," the statement said on Saturday.

"They agreed to meet in Moscow on May 9 during the celebrations dedicated to the 80th anniversary of Great Patriotic War Victory," it added.

Lukashenko has been on an official visit to Moscow since March 13. He held official talks with the Russian president on Thursday, and the two leaders continued their talks on Friday.

On March 13, the two presidents signed an agreement on measures for mutual protection of citizens from unjustified prosecution by various foreign countries and international justice bodies.

The Belarusian president delivered a speech at the Federation Council on Friday.

Putin will hold talks with Rahmon, who will pay an official visit to Russia, in Moscow on March 17, the Kremlin press service said on Friday.

"Prospects for further development of the Russian-Tajik strategic partnership and alliance will be discussed with emphasis on trade, investment and humanitarian cooperation. It is also planned to exchange views on current regional affairs," the press service said.

Putin and Rahmon will virtually attend the ceremony starting construction of an international educational center for gifted children and the State Russian Drama Theater named after Mayakovsky in Dushanbe, it said.

A number of bilateral documents will be signed at the end of the visit, it added.