EMOMALI RAHMON HAD A TELEPHONE CONVERSATION WITH DMITRY MEDVEDEV

                Dushanbe, April 8th. (NIAT "Khovar"). — In the afternoon of April 7th, the President of the Republic of Tajikistan Emomali Rahmon had a telephone conversation with the President of Russian Federation Dmitry Medvedev.                 The circumstantial and detailed talk on the results of the London G-20 Summit dedicated to overcoming the consequences of global financial crisis was the beginning of the conversation during which the two heads of state exchanged opinions concerning the ways of minimizing the impact of the crisis manifestations on socio-economic situations in their countries.                Emomali Rahmon and Dmitry Medvedev paid much attention to the discussion of the present state and prospects of bilateral relations in various spheres.                As the Presidential Press Service informed the "Khovar" news agency, a considerable part of the telephone conversation was dedicated to reviewing issues of the Parties' cooperation in energy sphere. An agreement was reached that the ceremonial putting into operation of the Sangtuda-1 HPS will be held in May this year, with the participation of both Presidents.                The Parties also discussed the ways of further developing the Tajik-Russian interaction in the said sphere.                In response to the Tajik party's request concerning the acceleration of geological survey in Tajikistan's four gas fields in cooperation with Gazprom, the President of Russian Federation assured that he would give relevant instructions as regards enlivening and accelerating this work.                While discussing cultural and humanitarian package of bilateral issues, the Russian party informed of granting additional quotas for the training of specialists Tajikistan is in need of. The Parties also agreed on accelerating the process of establishing branches of Russia's higher educational institutions in Tajikistan.The interlocutors exchanged opinions concerning the issues of military and technical cooperation.                Emomali Rahmon and Dmitry Medvedev also discussed the questions of international and regional significance, representing mutual interest.