Russian President Vladimir Putin congratulated President Emomali Rahmon with his 70th birthday.

“You enjoy well-deserved respect among your compatriots and high prestige abroad as a wise and experienced statesman who does a lot for his country’s development and defends its interests on the world stage.

As a true friend of Russia, you are making a great personal contribution to strengthening the strategic partnership and alliance between our states, and are building up mutually beneficial ties as part of the CSTO, the CIS, and the SCO.

I highly appreciate our good and friendly relationship. I will be happy to continue our constructive dialogue and close cooperation with regard to any current issues on the bilateral, regional and international agenda,” reads the Russian leader’s message.