Moscow anticipates soon Tajik ratification of 201st military base accord
ASTANA. May 29 (Interfax) - Russia hopes for Tajikistan's soonest ratification of the agreement on the 201st military base deployment, Russian Presidential Aide Yuri Ushakov said.
He confirmed that the ratification issue was discussed at the Bishkek meeting of Russian President Vladimir Putin and Tajik President Emomali Rahmon on Tuesday.
"Hopefully, it will be ratified soon," Ushakov replied to an Interfax question on Wednesday.
He also said Tajikistan had made a number of counter-offers.
"They had a number of practical requests. They will be considered," the presidential aide said.
The State Duma ratified the Russian-Tajik agreement on the status and terms of deployment of the Russian military base in Tajikistan on April 19, 2013.
The agreement was signed in Dushanbe on October 5, 2012, for the period of 49 years with the possibility of automatic five-year extensions.
The agreement validity period includes the time spent by Russian military forces in Tajikistan upon their deployment on May 25, 1993, under bilateral cooperation agreements.
Apart from defending Russian interests, the base keeps Tajikistan safe in cooperation with the Tajik armed forces.
The base is stationed in Dushanbe, Kulyab and Kurgan-Tyube.
