CSTO Chief Warns of Afghanistan Border Instability

DID Press: The secretary-general of the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO), stressing the need to strengthen control over the organization’s borders, warned that continued instability in areas bordering Afghanistan poses clear threats to the security of Central Asia and the organization’s area of responsibility.

Talibek Masadkov, secretary-general of the Collective Security Treaty Organization, told Russia’s RIA Novosti news agency that instability in several areas along Afghanistan’s borders, particularly those adjacent to Tajikistan, poses a direct threat to regional security. He said the situation has made stronger border controls and closer cooperation among member states increasingly necessary.

Masadkov described Afghanistan as an “important neighbor” of the CSTO and stressed that the organization wants Afghanistan to become a “peaceful and prosperous” country. According to him, political and economic relations between most CSTO members and Kabul are developing, but challenges related to terrorism, drug trafficking and organized crime remain.

He also referred to intergovernmental programs aimed at strengthening the Tajik-Afghan border, saying that during his recent visit to Tajikistan, he inspected border posts and discussed the security situation with commanders of the country’s border forces.

The CSTO secretary-general said security cooperation within the organization continues on a regular basis, with the aim of reducing threats arising from instability in Afghanistan to the security of Central Asia. He stressed that strengthening border security is vital not only for Tajikistan but for the entire CSTO area of responsibility.

Masadkov’s remarks reflect growing concern among CSTO member states over the regional security implications of instability in Afghanistan — concerns that have gained greater significance amid increased activity by the Taliban and armed groups along Afghanistan’s northern borders.