ALMATY, Oct. 9 (Xinhua) -- Russian President Vladimir Putin said Thursday that Tajikistan is a reliable ally and Russia values its relations with the country, the Khovar news agency reported.

Putin made the remarks during talks with Tajik President Emomali Rahmon in the Tajik capital of Dushanbe, where the Russian president is on a state visit to the country to attend the second Russia-Central Asia Summit and a meeting of the Commonwealth of Independent States Heads of State Council.

During the talks, Rahmon highlighted the steady progress in bilateral ties on trade, culture and security, as well as regional and international cooperation.

Following the talks, the two sides signed a number of cooperation documents on trade, transport and investment in Tajikistan's light industry. Enditem