Putin pays state visit to Tajikistan

DUSHANBE. Oct 8 (Interfax) - Russian President Vladimir Putin has arrived in Tajikistan on a state visit, during which he will hold talks with Tajik President Emomali Rahmon.

Contacts between the two presidents will begin at the airport: Rahmon has come in person to meet the guest at the gangway.

The talks will address key issues relating to bilateral interaction in the political, trade-economic and cultural-humanitarian spheres, as well as the most vital regional problems, Russian presidential aide Yury Ushakov told reporters. A joint statement by the presidents and a solid package of interstate, intergovernmental and interdepartmental documents have been prepared to be signed.

It will be the fourth meeting between the presidents of Russia and Tajikistan this year. The previous meeting took place at the summit of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) in China on September 1.

During his visit to Dushanbe, Putin will also attend the second Central Asia-Russia summit and a meeting of the CIS Heads of State Council.

Besides, Putin is expected to have bilateral meetings with the leaders of some states.