Collective Security Treaty Organisation chief urges regional cooperation for Afghanistan stability
The secretary-general of the Collective Security Treaty Organisation says the continued poverty, drug trafficking, activity by militant groups and the possibility of armed clashes have put Afghanistan’s stability and the security of regional countries at risk.
Talatbek Masadikov made the remarks at a joint meeting of the Collective Security Treaty Organisation, the Commonwealth of Independent States and the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation in Moscow. He described Afghanistan as one of the key areas of regional cooperation and stressed the need for greater coordination to support peace and security in the country.
Masadikov said that although some progress has been reported in Afghanistan during Taliban rule, economic and security problems remain. He described engagement with the Taliban administration as necessary from the standpoint of regional security and called for a pragmatic approach toward Afghanistan.
According to the organisation’s secretary-general, lasting stability in Afghanistan is directly linked to the security situation and development process in Central Asian countries, and it will not be achievable without taking these factors into account.
He also called for coordination among the Collective Security Treaty Organisation, the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation and the Commonwealth of Independent States to address challenges related to Afghanistan.
