Tajik President Emomali Rahmon said at a meeting with a U.S. general that Dushanbe views security cooperation with the United States as a key element to strengthening regional peace and stability.
Rahmon made his comments in a June 15 meeting in the Tajik capital with U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) Commander General Joseph Votel.
Rahmon's presidential press service said Votel gave Tajikistan high marks for its role in antiterrorist efforts and stressed that the further development of U.S.-Tajik cooperation will contribute to security along the Tajik-Afghan border.
Votel came to Tajikistan from Uzbekistan, where he held talks with Uzbek President Islam Karimov and Uzbek Foreign Ministry officials.
The trip is Votel's first to Central Asia since his appointment as CENTCOM's combatant commander on March 30.
The four-star general previously served as the combatant commander of the U.S. Special Operations Command.
Based on reporting by Asia-Plus and Interfax
