Russian Defence Ministry To Continue Fruitful Cooperation With Tajik Defence Department

The Russian Defence Ministry plans to continue fruitful cooperation with the Tajik Defence Department, Sergei Ivanov, the Russian Defence Minister, was quoted as saying on arriving in Dushanbe. According to him, the Russian 201st division stationed in Tajikistan, will continue its military training and provide help to Tajikistan as far as combat experience exchange is concerned. "The 201st division is stationed in the friendly Tajikistan and that means it is a special division," Ivanov said. Since early 1990's, it has been fulfilling a very important peacekeeping mission to stabilise the situation in Tajikistan. He added that during his forthcoming meeting with Tajik President Emomali Rakhmonov, which will take place on Friday afternoon, the two officials would discuss the issues of bilateral military and technical cooperation, as well as those concerning the operation of the 201st division in Tajikistan. The Russian Defence Minister did not rule out that he would meet the military command of the Northern Alliance. "If there is such a possibility during my stay in Dushanbe, I will not miss it," Sergei Ivanov said. According to Sherali Khairuloyev, the Tajik Defence Minister, the visit of the Russian Defence Minister will result in signing a plan of bilateral military and technical cooperation. The ceremony is scheduled to take place on Friday.