Russia, Kyrgyzstan sign military bases deal

Source Nathan Toohey at 20/09/2012

Klipping The Moscow News

Russia and Kyrgyzstan have signed an agreement extending the presence of Russia's unified military bases in Kyrgyzstan, RIA Novosti reported on Thursday. The agreement takes force starting from 2017 and will remain in force for 15 years, with the possibility of extending it for a further five years.

"I want to reiterate that our military presence in Kyrgyzstan began with a request that the base be created so that it would provide a significant quotient of stability in the region and in the republic. So that all those who want to destabilize the situation in the region know that there is the necessary force that could be deployed in the fight against extremism, drug trafficking and terrorists," RIA Novosti quoted Russian President Vladimir Putin as saying on Thursday.