Russian Foreign Minister In Tajikistan To Talk Investments, Gas

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov is in Tajikistan for talks with President Emomali Rahmon and other Tajik government officials.

Talks are expected to focus on the Central Asian nation's cooperation in the Commonwealth of Independent States and its Collective Security Treaty Organization, the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, and the Eurasian Economic Community.

Tajik officials also want to discuss Russian investment in Tajikistan, particularly Gazprom's work in developing gas fields that are critical for Tajikistan, where power shortages are a problem most of the year.

Russia also has a military base in Tajikistan where its 201st Motorized Rifle Division is stationed.

Based on reporting by ITAR-TASS and Interfax