MINSK, 2 December (BelTA) - During its 2021 presidency in the CSTO Tajikistan intends to strengthen collective security for peaceful and safe life of people, Tajikistan President Emomali Rahmon said during the videoconference meeting of the CSTO Collective Security Council on 2 December, BelTA has learned.
Emomali Rahmon thanked Russian President Vladimir Putin for his great efforts during the Russian presidency to ensure the CSTO's sustainable work in today's context of challenges and threats.
Emomali Rahmon noted that the world has faced an unprecedented increase in challenges and threats: "The COVID-19 pandemic led to a global recession and significantly affected the usual mode of life, forcing all countries to radically revise their plans and initiatives. The economic crisis on the back of the pandemic has had an impact on the expected growth of the global economy, led to an increase in unemployment and jeopardized food security."
The Tajikistan president noted the growing global threats of terrorism, extremism, various forms of radicalism and transnational organized crime, including drug trafficking. “Various terrorist and extremist forces have not given up on their destructive intentions and continue to be active in different regions of the world, including in the immediate vicinity of the CSTO area of responsibility," he said. "In this context, we are concerned about the negative development of the situation in Afghanistan, including its north-eastern region.”
According to the Tajikistan leader, all these require an adequate response, including through the measures to strengthen the protection of the southern borders of the CSTO. He noted the growing importance of building up the CSTO's capacities to effectively respond to security challenges and threats. During its CSTO presidency in 2021, Tajikistan intends to expand the range of goals and objectives to be addressed in the CSTO.
