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Russian and Tajikistani Presidents to discuss law enforcement cooperation

They will look into practical implementation of an agreement on the status and the terms of deployment of the Russian military base on the territory of Tajiikistan

NOVO-OGARYOVO, near Moscow, August 1 (Itar-Tass) - Russian President Vladimir Putin and Tajikistani President Emomali Rakhmon will discuss a range of pressing issues of cooperation in the field of law enforcement, say the information materials released in the run-up to a summit that has been scheduled for Thursday.

The two heads of state are going to give special attention to the agreements that were attained during Putin’s visit to Tajikistan in October 2012. They will look into practical implementation of an agreement on the status and the terms of deployment of the Russian military base on the territory of Tajiikistan.

Russia ratified the document May 7, 2013.

The agreement on the base prolonged the deployment of Russian troops for 49 years as of the moment the initial agreement took effect /May 25, 1993/, which means it will stay in effect through to 2042.

A prolongation of the document is envisioned upon expiry of the current term.

Base No. 201 is the largest outlet of Ground Troops that Russia has in a foreign country. The total manpower deployed there reaches 6,000 men and officers.

The base was set up to support peace and stability in Tajikistan and to assist the border forces and Tajikistan’s Defense Ministry in performing their immediate duties.

Putin and Rakhmon will also raise the problems of collaboration within various integrative associations like the Commonwealth of Independent States, the Eurasian Economic Community, the CIS Collective Security Treaty Organization, as well as the UN, the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization.

Discussion of investments occupies a special place on the agenda, since Russia remains the largest investor in Tajikistan with the accumulated investments standing at over $ 1.2 billion at the moment. About 130 companies with Russian ownership are working in the landlocked mountainous Central Asian country.

According to data provided by Russia’s Federal Customs Service, Russian-Tajikistani trade shrank by 10.3% to $ 290.1 million from January through to June 2013 compared with the same period a year ago. Russian exports to Tajikistan dropped 4.5% to $ 271.8 million and Tajikistani imports slid 16.1% to $ 18.1 million.

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