Putin Meets With Tajik President

4 June 2004 -- Russian President Vladimir Putin called Tajikistan a strategic ally and partner today after meeting with Tajik President Emomali Rakhmonov in the Russian Black Sea resort city of Sochi.

Both leaders also expressed hope that trade can improve between Tajikistan and Russia and said cooperation on energy issues is improving.

Russia buys part of Tajikistan's surplus electricity for use in the Urals and Putin said Moscow is prepared to broaden this cooperation.

(ITAR-TASS)