Russian President Vladimir Putin has appreciated Tajik leader Emomali Rahmon’s support for activity of the Russian military base deployed in Tajikistan.

Putin told reporters in Dushanbe on February 27 after his talks with President Emomali Rahmon that Russian forces are based in Tajikistan “to provide security for both Tajikistan and the southern frontiers of the Russian Federation.”

Putin stressed that Tajikistan has been and remains the important strategic partner of Russia in all spheres.

“We attach significant importance to cooperation with Tajikistan,” Russian president noted.  

The Russian military base deployed in Tajikistan is Russia's largest non-naval military facility outside the country.  It was officially opened in Tajikistan in 2004 under a previous agreement, which was signed in 1993, and hosts Russia’s largest military contingent deployed abroad.

A total of some 7,000 Russian troops are now stationed at two military facilities collectively known as the 201st military base - in Dushanbe and Qurghon Teppa, some 100 kilometers from Dushanbe.