MOSCOW, February 24 (RIA Novosti) - Russian President Dmitry Medvedev is due to meet with his Tajik counterpart Emomali Rakhmon near Moscow on Tuesday to discuss key bilateral and regional issues.

The agenda for the talks, to take place at the presidential residence of Zavidovo, will include Russia's participation in Tajikistan's hydropower projects, bilateral cooperation on migration and the military sector, including the issue of a Russian military base in the former Soviet republic, a Kremlin source said.

Russia currently deploys a military base near the Tajik capital, Dushanbe. The base is home to the 5,000-strong 201st motorized infantry division. It was established in 2005 to provide assistance to Tajik border guards protecting the Tajik-Afghan border.

The sides are also expected to discuss the Sangtuda-1 hydroelectric power station, a Tajik-Russian joint project in which Russia owns 75%. The plant, with a planned capacity of 670 MW, is scheduled to be launched in March. Russia has invested some $700 million in the project.

Trade between Russia and Tajikistan in 2008 increased by 30% year-on-year to hit $1 billion.

Migration from Tajikistan is also an acute problem in Russia, especially on the back of the current financial crisis. The Russian government has recently decided not to issue work permits for foreign retail outlet workers in 2009 in an effort to decrease the unemployment rate among Russians.