Russian Defense Ministry denies plans for setting up new military base in Tajikistan

Plans for setting up new Russian military bases in Tajikistan are not under consideration, the Russian Deputy Defense Minister Alexander Fomin said.

"Such plans are not under consideration, but if a need arises and our partners agree then it will be possible," Fomin said. He did not rule out the joint use of the Russian military base in Tajikistan by members of the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO).

"The base in Tajikistan has three priorities which concern the interests of Russia, the host country Tajikistan and the CSTO. Taking into account the growing terrorist threat as well as other threats, military presence in the form of military bases or in some other form is vital, particularly in the former Soviet states," TASS cited the Russian deputy defense minister as saying.

The 201st military base is the largest Russian military facility abroad. According to an agreement signed in October 2012, the base will remain in Tajikistan until 2042.