USA attaches special importance to cooperation with Tajikistan

Despite large expenditures caused by international military operations, the US Armed Forces Central Commandment and government "attach special importance to cooperation with Tajikistan, as this country plays an important role in ensuring regional security and can be a reliable partner in international fight against terrorism and illegal drug trafficking".

This opinion was voiced by the US Army Central Commandment's officer-in-charge for Tajikistan Robin L. Fontes at a meeting with Tajikistan's First Deputy Defence Minister Major General Ramil Nadyrov in Dushanbe on Wednesday.

Fontes heads the US commandment's delegation visiting Tajikistan now.

During the talks the parties discussed preparations of the cooperation and training programmes for 2003-2004, head of the Tajik Defence Ministry's press service Lieutenant Colonel Zarobiddin Sirojev reported.

Tajikistan and the USA are establishing military and military-technical cooperation on such directions as information exchange within the international counter-terrorist operation Enduring Freedom, personnel training for the republic's Armed Forces, teaching English to servicemen, providing technical assistance for the Tajik army, Fontes said.