DUSHANBE, September 28, 2012, Asia-Plus — Russian President Vladimir Putin will pay an official visit to Dushanbe upon the invitation by his Tajik counterpart Emomali Rahmon on October 5 the Kremlin’s press office reports.
The visit will coincide with the 60th birthday of Tajikistan’ President Emomali Rahmon.
The presidents will discuss a broad range of issues related to bilateral cooperation between their countries, including trade, culture and security.
Putin and Rahmon will also exchange views on a number of regional issues being of mutual interest.
The negotiations are expected to result in signing of a number of bilateral documents.
It will be the second meeting of Vladimir Putin and Emomali Rahmon this year, the Kremlin’s press office said.
We will recall that Russia’s First Deputy Prime Minister, Igor Shuvalov, visited Tajikistan last week. He, in particular, noted that the two countries would sign an agreement extending Russia”s military presence in Tajikistan “very soon.” Shuvalov said the final decision would be taken by the two presidents.
Under the current 10-year lease signed in 2004, Russia gets exclusive use of three military bases and joint use of an air base free of charge.
Media reports said the two sides have had disagreements over the fee Russia pays to keep its troops in Tajikistan.
We will recall that Tajikistan and Russia have been negotiating the issue of the presence of Russia”s 201st Motorized Rifle Division for some time now and Shuvalov’s visit followed the visit of Russian Deputy Defense Minister Anatoly Antonov to Dushanbe in mid-September.
Russia’s 201st Division and its approximately 7,500 troops use a total of three Tajik bases near Dushanbe and in the southern cities of Kulob and Qurghon-Teppa. It is the largest deployment of Russian troops abroad.
