Russia strengthens position in Central Asia

The creation of a joint venture between Gazprom and Tajikistan has allowed Russia to strengthen its geopolitical position in the entire Central Asian region, the Russian ambassador to Tajikistan, Ramazan Abdulatipov, said.

"In creating a joint venture with Tajikistan, Gazprom will act as a fully-fledged partner and can participate in oil and gas business not only in Tajikistan but throughout Central Asia," Abdulatipov told Interfax.

Russian gas giant Gazprom will work with firms in Tajikistan to development new fields.

"Joint development of gas fields in Tajikistan will enable the country to fully meet its requirements with its own gas in the future," Abdulatipov said.

The ambassador called on Russian investors to invest in Tajikistan.

"Unfortunately, for Russian business, the country remains a cautious investment zone, but those who invest in Tajikistan today will tomorrow have a very reliable business with high potential and entry to the Central Asian market," he said.

Under a memorandum of intent to set up the joint venture, Gazprom will to start to explore Tajikistan's oil and gas fields in 2006.

"To begin with, we envisage funding of $6 million. This is enough to get work started," Chief Executive Alexei Miller said.