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President Vladimir Putin: Dear Emomali Sharipovich, officers, sergeants and soldiers

Today we are opening a military base – the base of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation in the Republic of Tajikistan. This is a very important decision that is necessary for both friendly allied nations. It meets the basic interests of our peoples, and will consolidate peace in the world, stability in Central Asia and security in the entire Commonwealth of Independent States.

Together with the aviation base in Kyrgyzstan, in the city of Kant, the military base in Tajikistan will become a reliable link in the common system of collective security in the region, a system which has the primary goal to create conditions to neutralise terrorist and extremist attacks throughout the entire area of the CIS and Russia, and also undoubtedly to provide assistance in the war on drug trafficking and organised crime.

The agreement on the status and conditions of the presence of the Russian military base on the territory of the Republic of Tajikistan has at last been registered legally and come into effect. This makes your presence here lawful, stable and long-term. The Russian military presence has received international legal registration.

There are well-trained units at the military base in Tajikistan. People in Russia know the renowned 201st division, along with many soldiers and officers of your units. It is a truly fighting force, it has been in the front line several times, and has acted as an important military and political tool for ensuring stability and security in the region, as a barrier to drug trafficking and organised crime. Many of its officers, ensigns and soldiers have fought in troubled areas with great merit, and received high state awards.

You have responsible service on the friendly Tajik soil ahead of you. I am sure that the personnel will perform the tasks that lie before you with dignity, and will continue to strengthen military cooperation with the armed forces of the Republic of Tajikistan.

Today we raise the Russian flag here, and Russia believes in you, and expects your devotion to your military duty, your dignity, courage and military professionalism.

Dear comrades! I congratulate you on the opening of the Russian military base in the Republic of Tajikistan!