At present, more than ever, work is needed to integrate Afghanistan into regional economic systems. This was stated by Secretary of the Security Council of the Russian Federation Sergei Shoigu at a meeting of secretaries of the Security Councils of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS).
“Significant progress has occurred in the Afghan direction. As you all know, Russia recognized the government of Afghanistan and continued to provide humanitarian assistance to the population of the country. Today, more than ever, the integration of Afghanistan into regional economic systems is in demand,” Shoigu said, as quoted by Russian officials Media.
At the same time, according to Shoigu, the threat of militants from terrorist and extremist structures entering the CIS countries through Afghanistan remains. “Joint work is necessary in the fight against drug trafficking. An important step in this direction was the start of the implementation this year of the CSTO (Collective Security Treaty Organization) Targeted Interstate Program to strengthen the Tajik-Afghan border,” he noted.
Shoigu also said that the situation in the South Caucasus as a whole tends to improve.
“At the same time, we proceed from the fact that the peace process should be carried out first of all, regional dimensions. In this context, it is important to resume the work of the consultative regional group of the “3+3” platform,” he noted.
The head of the Russian Security Council emphasized that unblocking transport and communications in the region is of great importance, an agreement on which was reached within the framework of the trilateral working group.
On November 5, the XIII meeting of the secretaries of the security councils of the CIS member states was held in Moscow. The meeting of the secretaries of the CIS Security Councils is the final event. at the international festival “Peoples of Russia and the CIS”, which was held in Moscow from October 31 to November 5.
According to the press service of the Russian Security Council, the event was chaired by the Secretary of the Security Council of the Russian Federation Sergei Shoigu.
The secretaries of the security councils discussed challenges and threats to security in the CIS and possible joint response measures.
In turn, in the press service of Akorda reported that the Secretary of the Security Council of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Gizat Nurdauletov, took part in the meeting in Moscow.
According to the report, during the event, a detailed exchange of views took place on the state of regional security.
The Secretary of the Security Council of Kazakhstan informed his colleagues about the country’s position in key areas and made a number of proposals for developing cooperation, including joint efforts to counter international terrorist networks, combat cross-border drug crime and abuses in the field of operations with digital assets.