DUSHANBE, May 7, Asia-Plus  -- State and prospects of further expansion of Tajik-Russian cooperation were a major topic of a meeting of President Emomali Rahmon with Russian Ambassador to Tajikistan, Mr. Ramazan Abdulatipov, that was held in Dushanbe yesterday.  

According to presidential press service, the two confirmed their readiness for further expansion of many-sided cooperation between Tajikistan and the Russian Federation.  

Expressing satisfaction with growing trade and economic cooperation, Rahmon and Abdulatipov stressed that a two-way trade between Tajikistan and Russia should exceed $1 billion this year.  

In the course of the talks, Russian diplomat noted that Russian investors are interested in participating in developing energy, mining and other priority sectors of Tajikistan’s economy, presidential press service said.  

Abdulatipov also noted that the Russian side will set about realization of Tajik president’s proposals on opening of branches of a number of prestigious Russian universities in Tajikistan.  

During the meeting, it was also noted that the issue of mutual opening of culture centers had been resolved.