DUSHANBE, January 29, 2015, Asia-Plus — Tajik President Emomali Rahmon yesterday received visiting Russian Deputy Defense Minister, Anatoly Antonov.
According to the Tajik president’s official website, they discussed issues related to state and prospects of further expansion of military and technical cooperation between Tajikistan and Russia and strengthening of Tajikistan’s common border with Afghanistan.
Issues related to implementation of bilateral agreements reached by the two countries as well as agreements reached within the framework of the CIS and the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) were reportedly a major topic of the meeting.
Emomali Rahmon, in particular, noted that the agreements that had been reached at the highest level must be implemented completely and opportunely because they were aimed at keeping peace and stability in Tajikistan and Russia and in the region as a whole.
Meanwhile, Anatoly Antonov said that Moscow wanted to strengthen the Tajik army as an outpost of the CSTO in Central Asia.
Talking to journalists after the meeting with Emomali Rahmon, Anatoly Antonov noted yesterday that withdrawal of most Western combat troops from neighboring Afghanistan last year makes it particularly important to bolster Tajikistan”s military. He did not give details.
