May 19, local time, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, who is on a visit to Tajikistan, said that Russia will strengthen military cooperation with Tajikistan in view of the withdrawal of U.S. and NATO troops from Afghanistan and other factors, the situation in northern Afghanistan bordering Tajikistan has aroused russia’s high concern.
According to the Interfax news agency, Lavrov held talks with Tajikistan’s Foreign Minister Muhridin in Dushanbe on the same day. At a press conference later, the Russian foreign minister said the two sides discussed cooperation in the military and military technology fields, including Russia’s assistance to the country in modernizing its armed forces.
Lavrov stressed that with the withdrawal of U.S. and NATO troops from Afghanistan, the common threat to Russia and Tajikistan is more obvious. “International terrorist activities gathered in afghanistan’s northern provinces are on the rise, and we will provide Tajikistan with all the assistance it needs in the fight against terrorism, extremism and the illicit drug trade”.
In addition, Lavrov said that Russia’s 201st military base in the territory of The Tower is a key factor in ensuring security and stability in Central Asia, and that the two countries will consolidate security along Tajikistan’s border with Afghanistan at the level of bilateral relations and within the framework of the Collective Security Treaty Organization.
It was also reported that Lavrov will also attend the CSTO Foreign Ministers’ Council meeting in Dushanbe on the 19th, which will focus mainly on regional security issues.
