Security chiefs of Central Asian countries express concern over spreading Afghan civil war at their borders

Eurasia News

Moscow, Russia: Russia and Central Asian countries have expressed serious security concerns over spreading civil war of Afghanistan, reports Dispatch News Desk (DND) News Agency.

In a meeting that held in Moscow on Wednesday, security chiefs of Afghanistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan discussed grave security risk that is being faced by Central Asian countries bordering Afghanistan.

According to the press office of Security Council of Russia, talks were held in cordial atmosphere and Moscow informed Kabul about its concerns over gathering of terrorists in Afghan provinces bordering Central Asian states.

Press release stated that the first informal meeting of heads of Security Councils of Afghanistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan) took place and the participants “emphasized the need to boost regional cooperation on Afghanistan-related issues, discussed the fight against terrorism and drug trafficking, touched upon national reconciliation in Afghanistan and protection of interests of all Afghan ethnic groups.

Official statement added that Secretary of Russian Security Council Nikolay Patrushev expressed the hope that the practice of such meetings would continue in the future and would allow to enhance practical interaction and to join efforts in the security sphere.

Russian news agency TASS reported that Nikolay Patrushev held a separate meeting with National Security Advisor (NSA) of Afghanistan Mohammad Atmar and discussed economic cooperation, interaction among the special services and law enforcement agencies and prospects for cooperation in defense technologies.

Meanwhile, it is learnt that Nikolay Patrushev expressed deep concern over increase of fighters of Islamic State also known as Daesh near Central Asian borders.