MOSCOW, February 13. /TASS/. Russia and Tajikistan are collaborating to enhance the efficiency of Russia's 201st military base, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov stated at a news conference following discussions with Tajik Foreign Minister Sirojiddin Muhriddin.
"Our joint efforts to ensure security are multifaceted. As I mentioned, the 201st military base in Tajikistan has been operational for a considerable time and plays a vital role in safeguarding not only Tajikistan but also the southern borders of the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO). We are working closely with our Tajik partners to improve its efficiency, including the development of the aviation component, which has seen significant success," Lavrov remarked.
Lavrov emphasized that the two countries also have a bilateral agreement for the modernization of Tajikistan's Armed Forces.
"We have plans to accelerate this program. At the end of last year, the summit of the CSTO Collective Security Council adopted a program aimed at strengthening the border between Tajikistan and Afghanistan. This initiative is now beginning to take shape. In the very near future, we will determine who will be responsible for implementing this multilateral document," he added.
"And, of course, concerning the Afghan threat, we have established mechanisms within both the CSTO and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization that are currently operational. Additionally, together with Tajikistan, we participate in several regional groups, including the Moscow platform and other mechanisms involving neighboring countries. Today, we discussed the possibility of expanding the structures through which we can collaborate," Lavrov concluded.