Russian Deputy Defence Minister Anatoly Antonov considers the 201st Russian military base in Tajikistan "an important element of the Collective Security Treaty Organization" and regional security. He expressed this opinion today at a press conference in Dushanbe, Itar-Tass reported.
Antonov said Tajikistan's position will be taken into account when discussing the number of personnel of the base. "Any decision to reduce or enlarge the size of the base will be made together with Tajikistan," the deputy minister said.
Touching upon start of the withdrawal of NATO forces from Afghanistan scheduled for 2014, Antonov said that "Moscow is very concerned about this problem." "We would like to receive further clarification from our American partners on prospects for maintaining a military presence there, and about whether there will be U.S. military bases near the borders of the CSTO," Antonov said.