On January 13, the official representative of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation Maria Zakharova informed at a weekly press conference that the mechanisms were being developed to ensure the reliable protection of the southern borders of the CSTO on the proposal of Tajik partners, the press office of the RF Ministry of Foreign Affairs reports.
The preparatory work is underway to conduct joint military manoeuvres and assist Tajikistan to increase security of the mountainous hard-to-reach sections of the Tajik-Afghan border.
Zakharova noted that the situation in Afghanistan was the focus of attention of the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO). The countries of the region and the CSTO members are expressing concerns on the developments in Afghanistan.
The diplomat noted that the CSTO focusses on curbing the illicit trade in arms and ammunition abandoned by the coalition forces in Afghanistan, as well as the illicit growth of drug production and drug trafficking.
On January 10, speaking at the extraordinary CSTO Summit on the situation in Kazakhstan, Rahmon highlighted the need to create a security belt around Afghanistan.
