DUSHANBE, January 18, 2013, Asia-Plus -- The issue of the use of the Ayni airfield near Dushanbe will be discussed after implementation of agreements that were reached during Russian president’s visit to Tajikistan last October, Tajik Foreign Minister Hamrokhon Zarifi told reporters in Dushanbe on January 18.

“We have to sign agreements on labor migration, duty-free delivery of Russian oil products to Tajikistan and Russia’s participation in hydroelectricity projects in Tajikistan and ratify an agreement on conditions for further stay of the Russian military base in Tajikistan and then we may discuss the issue of the use of the Ayni airfield,” Zarifi said.

He further added that he and his Russian counterpart Sergey Lavrov expressed satisfaction with the process of preparation of government-to-government agreements on migration and duty-free delivery of Russian oil products to Tajikistan during the January 17 talks in Dushanbe.   

The renovated Ayni airfield belonging to the Tajik Ministry of Defense was officially opened on September 3, 2010.

India contributed 70 million USD toward the renovation and sent specialists to help with the work.  The airfield, located some 20 kilometers west of Dushanbe, now has state-of-the-art navigational and defense technology. Its runway was also extended to 3,200 meters so that all types of aircraft can land there.

We will recall that speaking to journalists on January 27, 2011, Tajik Foreign Minister, Hamrokhon Zarifi, announced that Dushanbe and Moscow have different views on “certain issues” related to the use of the airfield.

Some experts consider that the differences apparently stem from Moscow’s intention to secure exclusive use of the airbase, while Dushanbe insists on joint use.