NATO Secretary-General George Robertson says the North Atlantic alliance is ready to help Tajikistan modernize its armed forces.
Mr. Robertson made the comment Wednesday in Dushanbe, after talks with Tajik President Emomali Rakhmonov.
Mr. Robertson said the war on terror was at the top of their agenda because Tajikistan is on the front line in the region and has critical importance.
During a meeting with Tajik Foreign Minister Talbak Nazarov, the two men discussed the scheduled opening in Dushanbe of an OSCE-NATO training facility that aims to broaden efforts in combating international terrorism and drug trafficking in Central Asia.
Mr. Robertson also is scheduled to deliver a speech at Tajikistan's National University.
The NATO head is due to leave Dushanbe Thursday for the Uzbek capital, Tashkent.