Rahmon needs Russia as a guarantor of his security

The President of Tajikistan, Emomali Rahmon, during a meeting with Russian leader Vladimir Putin in the Kremlin, proposed to discuss the issue of labor migrants in Russia, calling it “very sensitive.” “Of course, today I would like to discuss some issues with you, especially regarding our labor migrants. This is a very sensitive and one of the main issues for us,” Rahmon said on May 9 during the meeting with Putin.

Rahmon departed for a working visit to Moscow on May 8 to participate in the ceremonial events dedicated to the 79th anniversary of Victory in World War II and an informal meeting of the heads of CIS states. The issue of Tajik labor migrants was raised against the backdrop of their mass checks, detentions, and deportations following the terrorist attack that occurred on March 22 at “Krokus City Hall” in Moscow, for which citizens of Tajikistan are among the accused.

Dushanbe, expressing “serious concern over cases of overt negative attitudes towards citizens of Tajikistan on the territory of the Russian Federation, as well as widespread violations of their rights and freedoms,” on April 29 delivered a note of protest to the Russian ambassador in Dushanbe, Semen Grigoryev. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Tajikistan recommended that citizens refrain from traveling to Russia.

During the meeting on Thursday, Emomali Rahmon once again called Russia a strategic partner and ally of Tajikistan, emphasizing that “all these years we have not changed our position and do not intend to change it.” “Of course, our enemies would like to, and want to quarrel us, to scatter us by various methods. I think you know our position — that Russia is a strategic partner and ally for Tajikistan,” Rahmon stated. He reminded that Russia has the largest military base outside its territory precisely in Tajikistan.

For his part, Putin emphasized that relations between the two countries “are developing more and more actively in many areas.” According to him, Russia remains the main trade and economic partner of Tajikistan. About one million citizens of Tajikistan live and work in Russia. Opposition representatives criticize Dushanbe for the fact that for over 30 years the country’s authorities have been unable to provide citizens with jobs that offer decent salaries in the country.