MOSCOW, 5 August (BelTA) - The Collective Security Treaty Organization is closely monitoring the situation on the Tajik-Afghan border, CSTO spokesman Vladimir Zainetdinov told BelTA while commenting on the general situation on the border with Afghanistan and the exercise that began there.
“We welcome the exercise of the Armed Forces of Russia, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan that began at training grounds near the border with Afghanistan today," the spokesman said. "The CSTO is closely monitoring the situation on the Tajik-Afghan border and neighboring regions. In the event of an escalation and a threat to the Republic of Tajikistan, the CSTO will take all necessary measures to assist its ally in protecting the CSTO's southern border. Now the Tajik security forces are keeping the situation on the border under control, and there is no need yet to use the mechanisms of the CSTO."
Vladimir Zainetdinov also noted that in October, near the Tajik-Afghan border, the CSTO member states will hold the scheduled exercises Poisk 2021 [Search 2021]for the forces and means of reconnaissance, Eshelon 2021 [Echelon 2021] for logistics units, and Vzaimodeistvie 2021 [Interaction 2021] for the Collective Rapid Response Forces.
"In November, Tajikistan is also scheduled to conduct a tactical and special exercise Kobalt 2021 [Cobalt 2021] with the special unites of the CSTO CRRF to drill the actions against illegal armed groups," Vladimir Zainetdinov added.
