Zas’ reported a threat from Afghanistan

According to him, terrorists and drug trafficking still pose a threat to the member states of the CSTO.

Photo: Internet

The Secretary General of the CSTO, Stanislav Zas, reported during a press conference on the results of the CSTO’s activities in 2022 and the outcomes of the latest session of the Collective Security Council of the CSTO in Yerevan that Afghanistan remains a source of danger for the CSTO member states, primarily for Tajikistan.

“These are threats of a terrorist nature, drug trafficking, extremism. Therefore, we attach great importance to strengthening the security of our southern borders,” stated the Secretary General of the CSTO.

According to Stanislav Zas, joint activities are being carried out to protect and secure the southern borders of Tajikistan. He also emphasized the importance of completing work on developing a program to strengthen specific sections of the Tajik-Afghan border.

The Secretary General of the CSTO identified Afghanistan as a source of danger while the authorities of Tajikistan received a large amount of equipment and significant sums as assistance to strengthen the Tajik-Afghan border from the USA, the European Union, Russia, and China.

Stanislav Zas also stated that the CSTO will assist in resolving the border conflict between Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan if necessary.

Currently, the issue of admitting new members to the CSTO is not being discussed, as steps to expand the organization should enhance its effectiveness and strengthen overall security. “We need to focus on quality, not quantity,” Zas said.

He also reported that work is underway to strengthen cooperation with China. However, the nature of this cooperation has not been disclosed.