RASC News Agency: The Secretary-General of the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) has issued a warning about the ongoing risk of terrorism and drug trafficking extending from Afghanistan into Central Asia. The organization has reiterated that concerns persist, with multiple countries repeatedly expressing fears over the potential spread of terrorism from Afghanistan to Central Asia.
Imangali Tasmagambetov highlighted that Afghanistan remains a primary source of instability in Central Asia. He emphasized that Afghanistan is far from being a secure region for Central Asia, rather, it is seen as a major source of instability and concern. According to a report by TASS on Friday, July 20, Tasmagambetov made these remarks during a United Nations Security Council meeting. In his address, he noted that a working group on Afghanistan is currently operating under the oversight of the CSTO Council of Foreign Ministers.
The Secretary-General also stressed the importance of maintaining regular communication between the United Nations, the CSTO, and Central Asian countries to implement preventive measures regarding the situation in Afghanistan. He underscored the need for coordination between these organizations to effectively address the issues at hand. The CSTO member states, which include Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, and Tajikistan, have conducted several joint military exercises in Tajikistan near the Afghanistan border over the past three years.
Additionally, in early July, Tajikistan’s Foreign Minister Sirojiddin Muhriddin called on the CSTO Council of Foreign Ministers to sign a program to bolster the border with Afghanistan. This program, initially slated for 2023, has been postponed to 2024. Muhriddin noted at the CSTO meeting that “the most pressing challenge for Central Asia is the proliferation of the destructive ideology of religious radicalism.”
Russia also expressed concerns about Afghanistan, with its Deputy Foreign Minister stating, “We are apprehensive that Afghanistan might become a haven for terrorists.” It is important to note that Afghanistan hosts more than ten terrorist groups, including ISIS, al-Qaeda, and Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP).
