Tajikistan pledges to ratify military base accord on schedule
DUSHANBE. March 15 (Interfax) - Russia will continue helping Tajikistan modernize the armed forces, fight terrorism and maintain regional security, said Russia's First Deputy Defense Minister and General Staff chief, General of the Army Valery Gerasimov.
Gerasimov arrived in Dushanbe on Thursday on a working visit.
"Aid to Tajikistan in modernizing the armed forces will be continued," he said.
"We are centered on the joint work to implement the agreements reached by the commanders-in-chief, including the Agreement on the Status and Presence of the Russian Military Base," Tajik General Staff chief Lt. Gen. Ramil Nadyrov said.
Russia's 201st military base located in Tajikistan has about 6,000 servicemen. It is the largest military base Russia has outside its territory. An agreement was signed during President Vladimir Putin's visit to Dushanbe on October 5, 2012, which extends the military base's presence in Tajikistan until 2042. However, the Tajik parliament has not yet completed the ratification procedures.
"Everything will be done on time in compliance with the timeframe approved by the commanders-in-chief," Nadyrov said.
After the talks, Gerasimov and Nadyrov were received by Tajik Defense Minister Col. Gen. Sherali Khairulloyev.
"The talks were constructive and dealt with the implementation of the agreements reached by the Tajik and Russian defense ministries, including the agreement on the status and presence of the Russian military base in Tajikistan," Tajik Defense Ministry spokesman Faridun Makhmadaliyev told the press.
"Gerasimov and Nadyrov also discussed further military cooperation between the defense ministries, including in training personnel, information exchanges and fighting international terrorism," Makhmadaliyev said.