The Lower House of the Tajikistan Parliament has ratified an agreement regulating the presence of Russia’s 201st military base in Tajikistan for the period up to 2042. The Russian military base deployed on Tajik territory will further help maintain stability and security in the region, Tajikistan’s Defence Minister Sherali Khairulloyev said in parliament on Tuesday. “The ratification of the agreement on the presence of the Russian military base in Tajikistan meets the principles of strategic partnership and will contribute to stability in the Central Asian region and security in all of Tajikistan,” he said. The document was signed by Russian President Vladimir Putin and his Tajik counterpart Emomali Rahmon on October 5, 2012. According to the agreement Russia will provide assistance to Tajikistan in the modernization of its armed forces and the training of cadres and repair of military equipment. The Russian base has about 6,000 servicemen stationed in three garrisons near Dushanbe, Kulyab and Kurgan-Tyube. This is the largest Russian military base outside of its national territory.