DUSHANBE, July 31, 2009, Asia-Plus  -- State and prospects of further expansion of bilateral cooperation between Tajikistan and the Russian federation were a major topic of a meeting between Presidents Emomali Rahmon of Tajikistan and Dmitry Medvedev of Russia that was held in Dushanbe yesterday evening.

According to presidential press service, in the course of the talks, Medvedev expressed readiness of Russia to participate in hydroelectricity projects in Tajikistan.

The sides agreed to launch a Tajik-Russian joint venture for producing energy-saving light bulbs in Tajikistan.

Both leaders expressed satisfaction with fruitful cooperation between power-wielding agencies of Tajikistan and Russia as well as discussed the present political situation in Afghanistan and Pakistan and its impact on the countries of the region.

The meeting ended with signing of an agreement on cooperation in operating the Sangtuda-1 hydroelectric power plant (HPP).