Proven in deeds: Putin calls Tajikistan a reliable ally of Russia
Russia cooperates with Tajikistan in the sphere of security in the international arena as its closest ally. Vladimir Putin said this during talks with the republic's President Emomali Rakhmon on December 24. The Russian leader's colleague confirmed that he intends to discuss this topic one-on-one. In general, both countries are satisfied with bilateral cooperation: trade turnover has increased by almost 20%, and humanitarian ties continue to develop actively. On the same day Vladimir Putin visited the State Hermitage Museum, where he solemnly presented its director Mikhail Piotrovsky with the Order "For Merit to the Fatherland" of the first degree.
Putin visited the Hermitage
On December 24, Vladimir Putin officially began his traditional New Year's Eve working trip to the Northern Capital. The program of the Russian leader started with a visit to one of the main artistic pearls of the country - the Hermitage. Putin was shown unique exhibits: an antique statue of Victoria, the goddess of victory, which was found in 1836 near the village of Calvatone in Italy, then sold to Prussia, and after the war was taken from Germany to the USSR. The head of state also saw the statue of Venus of Tauris - a Roman replica of the middle of the II century from the Greek original. The President was also told about another masterpiece of the museum's collection - a black-lacquered hydria "Queen of Vases", which is decorated with relief figures depicting Demeter, Dionysus, Athena, Artemis, Aphrodite and other deities.
Russian President Vladimir Putin visits the State Hermitage Museum
Visitors to the main museum building now have access to tactile copies of other antique works, the head of state was informed during the tour. All of them are accompanied by explications in Braille. Vladimir Putin admitted that he always enjoys visiting the Hermitage, although he admitted that he has not been to the museum for a long time.
The tour was accompanied by Mikhail Piotrovsky, Head of the Museum. After the tour he was solemnly presented with the Order "For Services to the Fatherland" of the first degree. The decree on awarding Piotrovsky the award was signed two weeks earlier - on his 80th birthday. Director General of the Hermitage was awarded for his great contribution to the development of national culture and art and many years of fruitful activity. Now he is a full cavalier of the Order of Merit for the Fatherland, that is, the holder of signs and orders of all degrees.
Russian President Vladimir Putin presents Mikhail Piotrovsky, General Director of the State Hermitage, with the Order of Merit for the Fatherland, 1st Class
"Undoubtedly, this is a symbol of recognition of your enormous contribution to the development of domestic culture, to the preservation of its richest heritage. This year the museum community of our country is also celebrating the 260th anniversary of the State Hermitage, to which you have devoted many years of your life, fruitful scientific and creative activity. Indeed, thanks to your talent, energy and knowledge, the possibilities of the State Hermitage have expanded considerably," said the President.
Russian President Vladimir Putin visits the State Hermitage Museum
Mikhail Piotrovsky has been working at the Hermitage since 1991, and has been its Director since 1992. In September 2022, he was reappointed to this position, and his powers were confirmed for another three years. Vladimir Putin pointed out that the Hermitage today is a modern museum center where interesting, bold and promising scientific, creative and educational projects are being implemented.
- The most important thing is what I said to the President - that the museum is being developed in order to continue to be what it is, a matrix of a real sense of one's own historical dignity, a matrix for developing a sense of pride in one's country. Pride, not hubris - this is what is very important. The museum fosters taste, the museum fosters attention and reverence for science, and this museum is our competitive advantage all over the world," Mikhail Piotrovsky told Izvestia.
Russian President Vladimir Putin inspects a model of a branch of the State Hermitage Museum
On the same day, Deputy Prime Minister Tatyana Golikova presented to the President the concept of the future museum design of the Exchange building, which will become one of the branches of the Hermitage and will be dedicated to the military glory of the Russian Federation. It is based on the image of prince and commander Alexander Nevsky and his feats of arms.
Talks between Vladimir Putin and Emomali Rakhmon
The important business of the Russian leader on this day was certainly not limited by a visit to the Hermitage. At about 20:00, the official international part of the head of state's program, which will last until December 26, began. From the center of St. Petersburg he moved to the region - to the complex "Igora". This is the first all-season resort in the north-west of Russia, which is visited by more than 450 thousand guests. It is noteworthy that this is not the first time that Vladimir Putin has held international events at Igora. In June 2012, a meeting with the then President of Finland Sauli Niinisto took place here. Then, following the talks, the leaders changed into sports uniforms and took to the ice together in an ice hockey match. Now Vladimir Putin received here the head of Tajikistan Emomali Rakhmon. This time the talks were held without sports entertainment: communication went in a businesslike but friendly format.
Russian President Vladimir Putin and Tajik President Emomali Rakhmon meet at the Igora resort in the Leningrad Region, Russia.
"Our relations are very constructive, developing at a good pace. Tajikistan is our reliable ally and a good economic partner. The Russian Federation ranks first among Tajikistan's trade and economic partners, and second in terms of investment: last year there was an increase, and this year there will be an increase - a small one, but nevertheless it will take place," Vladimir Putin said.
In January-September this year, the volume of mutual trade increased by 10.1% to $1.08 billion compared to the same period in 2023 (in 2023 it totaled $1.39 billion). The Republic is generally satisfied with the dynamics of relations with the Russian Federation, Emomali Rakhmon confirmed. According to him, 2024 has become a very eventful year for the relations between the two countries.
"According to the results of the year, Russia is the main trade and economic partner of Tajikistan, trade turnover has increased by almost 20%, cultural and humanitarian ties are actively developing," he said.
Today, more than 36,000 students and postgraduates from Tajikistan study in Russian universities. The quota for citizens of the republic in the academic year - 1 thousand places - is one of the largest among the CIS countries. "We are constantly increasing it and are ready to do it again in the near future," the Russian leader promised.
Of course, the sides pay increased attention to security cooperation. The states are allied through the CSTO.
"Cooperation continues in the sphere of security in the international arena, and precisely as with our closest ally - in a very trusting and constructive manner," Vladimir Putin said in the open part of the meeting.
Rakhmon also emphasized that he was ready to discuss international and regional and security issues with Putin. Yuri Ushakov, aide to the Russian leader, said that the presidents of Russia and Tajikistan planned to exchange views on topical regional issues, in particular on the situation on the border between Afghanistan and Tajikistan.
Tajik President Emomali Rakhmon meets with Russian President Vladimir Putin at the Igora resort in the Leningrad Region, Russia.
- The fact is that until recently Afghanistan was the main threat to Tajikistan's security, and so far Dushanbe is not inclined to believe that this threat has disappeared or significantly reduced. Russia, for its part, is taking steps to lift restrictions on the Taliban group (the organization is under UN sanctions for terrorist activities), which currently governs Afghanistan," Stanislav Tkachenko, a doctor of economic sciences and professor at St. Petersburg State University, explained to Izvestia.
In addition, the heads of state are certain to have discussed pressing issues in the field of migration policy. However, today the scale of illegal migration from Tajikistan to Russia has significantly decreased.
Переведено сервисом «Яндекс Переводчик»
