KABUL: Talatbek Masadykov, secretary-general of the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO), has said Afghanistan’s long-term stability is inseparably linked to the security and sustainable development of Central Asia.
Speaking at a joint meeting of the CSTO, Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) and Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) on security in Central Asia and Afghanistan, Masadykov said regional countries want Afghanistan to become an independent, prosperous and stable state.
He called for stronger regional coordination and equal and indivisible security for all countries, including Afghanistan, while supporting the creation of a new security architecture in Eurasia.
Masadykov also stressed the need to expand cooperation with Afghanistan in economic development, social stability and efforts to address security threats.
Afghanistan, meanwhile, has sought to expand regional cooperation through stronger joint border security, increased trade and economic ties with Central Asian countries, and major regional projects, including CASA-1000, the TAPI gas pipeline and transit initiatives.
The emphasis by officials from Russia, China, and Central Asian countries on Afghanistan’s stability and development highlights the close connection between peace and economic progress in Afghanistan and security, prosperity, and greater regional cooperation.
CSTO Chief: Afghanistan’s stability linked to Central Asian security
