DUSHANBE. Aug 23 (Interfax) - The situation in Afghanistan and the strengthening of international terrorist groups there poses a security threat to Eurasia and requires joint response measures, Tajik Defense Minister Col. Gen. Sherali Mirzo said.
Mirzo said opening a session of the Committee of General Staff Chiefs of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) that the situation in the region remains complicated and "may deteriorate even further."
"Manifestations of international terrorism, which is already spreading far beyond isolated groups and is becoming a powerful militarized force, and the escalation of various interethnic and religious conflicts in the immediate proximity of our borders are the realities we are encountering today and need to counter," he said.
Mirzo referred to the Russian Armed Forces' anti-terrorism and humanitarian operations in Syria as a good example of successful efforts to combat international terrorism.
"Thanks to those well-organized and coordinated efforts, Islamic State [terrorist organization, banned in Russia] has been stopped from further spreading its influence in the Middle East region," he said.
"At the same time, their defeat prompted some groups of militants to seek refuge and a foothold in other countries, including Afghanistan, which is our neighbor. In this context, the present situation in this country is seen as a matter of special concern, posing a real threat to our common security," Mirzo said.
"It is abundantly clear that peace and stability in Afghanistan are key factors for maintaining stability and security in the Central Asian region and other countries of the commonwealth," he said.
Mirzo reiterated the importance of joint steps to counter the new challenges and threats posed by international terrorism, extremism, and cross-border organized crime, which take on new forms and directions every year.
Military cooperation within the CIS is becoming increasingly important in this context, he said.