DUSHANBE, July 30, 2013, Asia-Plus -- On Wednesday July 30, Tajik President Emomali Rahmon received commander of the United States Central Command (CENTCOM), General Lloyd Austin.

According to the Tajik president’s official website, the sides discussed a number of issues related to bilateral cooperation between Tajikistan and the United States, in particular in the field of defense and providing regional security.   

They reportedly expressed satisfaction with the level of cooperation between the countries on development of Afghanistan and the fight against terrorism and extremism.

In the course of the talks, General Austin noted that Tajikistan played an important role in providing regional security and appreciated Tajikistan’s support for efforts to establish peace and stability in Afghanistan.

The sides also exchanged views on issues related to modernization of Tajikistan’s armed forces and strengthening border control after withdrawal of NATO-led ISAF troops from Afghanistan.

Lloyd James Austin III (born 8 August 1953) is a United States Army general. He is the 12th and current commander of United States Central Command (CENTCOM). Prior to current assignment, General Austin served as the 33rd Vice Chief of Staff of the United States Army from January 31, 2012 to March 8, 2013. His previous assignment was as the last Commanding General of United States Forces - Iraq, Operation New Dawn, which lasted until December 15, 2011. On December 6, 2012, the Pentagon announced that President Obama will nominate General Austin to lead the U.S. Central Command.  Austin was confirmed by the U. S. Senate on March 5, 2013, and assumed command on March 22, 2013.

CENTCOM is one of 9 combatant commands in the United States military. Six of these commands, including CENTCOM, have an area of responsibility (AOR), a specific geographic region of the world where the combatant commanders may plan and conduct operations as defined under the Unified Located between the European and Pacific combatant commands, U.S. Central Command’s area of responsibility covers the "central" area of the globe and consists of 20 countries -- Afghanistan, Bahrain, Egypt, Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Lebanon, Oman, Pakistan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Syria, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, United Arab Emirates, Uzbekistan, and Yemen.

With national and international partners, U.S. Central Command reportedly promotes cooperation among nations, responds to crises, and deters or defeats state and nonstate aggression, and supports development and, when necessary, reconstruction in order to establish the conditions for regional security, stability, and prosperity.