Russia: Afghanistan remains high on CSTO agenda — Pajhwok

KABUL (Pajhwok): Viktor Vasiliev, Russia’s permanent representative to the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO), has said that the situation in Afghanistan remains high on the organization’s agenda, with member states regularly reviewing developments in the country. Russia’s state-run TASS news agency quoted Vasiliev as saying that the organization’s main concern is the situation along the Afghanistan-Tajikistan border. He said implementation of a joint programme to strengthen the Tajik-Afghan border had begun, adding that CSTO member states were assessing Tajikistan’s border needs and considering ways to provide the necessary equipment and resources. Vasiliev said the member states continued to closely monitor developments in Afghanistan and their potential impact on regional security. The CSTO is a Russia-led security alliance comprising Russia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan.