On July 2, Secretary of Defense Lloyd J.
Austin III met with His Excellency Sirojiddin Muhriddin, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Tajikistan, to reaffirm the strategic security partnership between the United States and Tajikistan and to discuss the evolving security situation in the Central Asia region.
Minister Muhriddin expressed his appreciation for the United States' continuous support for Tajikistan's defense modernization.
Secretary Austin and Minister Muhriddin agreed on the importance of further enhancing bilateral military-to-military cooperation and shared their desire to continue close collaboration on issues such as counterterrorism, border security, and defense institution capacity building.
Secretary Austin congratulated the Minister on the upcoming 30th Anniversary of Independence and thanked Tajikistan for its role in advancing stability and security in Central Asia.
Both leaders reiterated their commitment to further promote the goal of a durable political settlement in Afghanistan.
Secretary Austin reiterated that the United States will continue to work with the countries of the region to address common security challenges.
