Defence minister: Russia assisting Tajik Armed Forces development

Russian Defence Minister Andrei Belousov has said that Russia-Tajikistan military cooperation has significant potential.

“We consider Russia-Tajikistan cooperation in the field of defence as a key factor for security and stability in Central Asia. This is especially important against the backdrop of the situation related to the armed conflict in Iran and the worsening situation in other regions of the world,” the Russian defence minister said during talks with his Tajik counterpart, Emomali Sobirzoda.

The meeting took place on the sidelines of a gathering of defence ministers of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) member states in the capital of Kyrgyzstan.

According to Belousov, Russia’s Ministry of Defence is assisting in equipping and developing the Armed Forces of Tajikistan and sharing its combat experience.

The Russian side is interested in expanding comprehensive cooperation between the two defence ministries to ensure the security of both countries, he added.

During the talks, Tajikistan’s defence minister thanked Belousov for supporting and strengthening the country’s armed forces, noting the strong potential for bilateral military cooperation.

By Tamilla Hasanova