Imangali Tasmagambetov, Secretary General of the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO), has voiced concerns over what he described as a “sufficient presence” of terror groups in Taliban-controlled Afghanistan, calling it “a very serious issue.”
In an interview with Belarusian television channel STV, Mr. Tasmagambetov reiterated that the CSTO Security Council plans to approve a proposal to strengthen Tajikistan’s border with Afghanistan during its November 28 meeting in Astana.
According to Mr. Tasmagambetov, the plan aims to develop and fortify Tajikistan’s borders with Afghanistan as part of a targeted international program. He highlighted Afghanistan’s significance for Central Asia, describing the situation as “a major concern.”
“You are well aware of what Afghanistan means for Central Asia. This is, undoubtedly, a very serious problem,” he said.
The Taliban have repeatedly denied claims that terror groups operating in Afghanistan pose a threat to regional security or neighboring countries. However, Mr. Tasmagambetov countered these assertions, stating that “there are still enough terror organizations present within Afghanistan’s borders, and this is a very serious issue.”
Ensuring regional security
Mr. Tasmagambetov noted that the approval of the border security initiative would enable CSTO member states to collaborate on reinforcing Tajikistan’s border infrastructure, thereby ensuring the security of Central Asian countries.
“This measure will allow member nations to jointly strengthen this section of the border and safeguard Central Asia’s security as a top priority,” he said.
The CSTO, a regional security alliance led by Russia, includes six member states: Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, and Tajikistan. The organization has increasingly focused on counterterrorism and border security amid concerns over instability in Afghanistan.
