DUSHANBE, April 4, 2015, Asia-Plus – Russian newspaper
Kommersant
reports the Russian side has expressed its readiness to provide 70 billion Russian rubles (RR) worth of military and technical assistance to Tajikistan within the next few years.
The newspaper quoted Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov as saying that Dushanbe faces growing threats emanating from the southern direction in connection with deterioration of situation in neighboring Afghanistan, where Islamic State (IS) militants have appeared in addition to traditionally present there Al-Qaeda, the Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan and the Islamic Movement of Turkestan.
“We have confirmed our commitment to help Tajikistan strengthen its combat efficiency both within the framework of decisions of the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) and on bilateral level.”
Russia is ready to provide RR70 billion worth of military and technical assistance to Tajikistan within the next few years.
Kommersant
says an official source at the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Russia has confirmed that information.



