CSTO Leaders Call For Terrorism-Free Afghanistan
Leaders of the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) have called for Afghanistan to become an independent, neutral and peaceful state, free from terrorism, war and narcotics.
Leaders of the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) have called for Afghanistan to become an independent, neutral and peaceful state, free from terrorism, war and narcotics.
They said the bloc is prepared to support international efforts aimed at ensuring peace and development in the country.
The remarks came during a CSTO summit held on Thursday, 27 November, in Bishkek, attended by the presidents of Russia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan.
In a statement published after the meeting, the CSTO reaffirmed its commitment to helping shape a stable Afghanistan and said it was ready to participate in broader international initiatives focused on peacebuilding and development.
Earlier, at a Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) summit, Tajik President Emomali Rahmon praised a regional plan to strengthen Tajikistan’s border with Afghanistan. Despite maintaining political and economic ties with the Taliban authorities, Central Asian states remain deeply concerned about extremist infiltration and cross-border attacks.
On Wednesday, Tajikistan’s Foreign Ministry reported that three Chinese workers had been killed in an attack launched from Afghan territory. According to Tajik officials, a drone strike hit a worksite belonging to the Shahin SM gold-mining company in Khatlon province.
China Urges Citizens to Leave Border Region
The Chinese Embassy in Dushanbe confirmed that three Chinese nationals were killed in an armed attack along the Tajikistan–Afghanistan border. It urged Chinese citizens to leave the border area and said Beijing had requested a full investigation by Tajik authorities. The embassy did not identify those responsible.
The Taliban’s Foreign Ministry condemned the killings, saying preliminary information suggested the attack had been carried out by elements seeking to create instability and distrust among regional states.
Earlier this year, China and the five Central Asian republics jointly called on the Taliban to ensure Afghanistan is free of terrorist groups.
