DUSHANBE, October 9. /TASS/. Relations between Russia and Tajikistan have been developing positively, and the ceremony of the state visit organized by Dushanbe reflects their essence, Russian President Vladimir Putin said at a meeting with his Tajik counterpart, Emomali Rahmon.

"First of all, thank you for the invitation to make a state visit to Tajikistan," the Russian leader said. According to him, the substantial essence of bilateral relations matches the ceremony of the reception. "The relations have been on a positive track across the board," Putin said.

"We are planning a number of serious steps. And we should issue a substantive joint statement," the Russian leader announced.

Also, Putin pledged to ensure conditions for a steady growth of Russian-Tajik relations in the key spheres.