Foreign ministers of the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) have adopted statements on the situation in Afghanistan and the prevention of an arms race in space, the Tajik Foreign Ministry information department said on June 20.

The foreign ministers, who convened for a meeting in Minsk on June 19-20, reportedly discussed international and regional situation and its impact on security within the CSTO area of responsibility in narrow and extended formats.

They reportedly exchanged views on the issue of improvement of the crisis response mechanism and the process of development of the CSTO target program to strengthen the Tajik-Afghan border. 

TASS says the participants also discussed the situation in the field of international and regional security, and exchanged views on further steps to develop the CSTO’s external relations.

Russian Foreign Ministry’s official website says the CSTO foreign ministers outlined key areas of cooperation within the organization for the current year, taking into account the priorities of the Belarusian presidency.

Besides, preparations were reviewed for the session of the CSTO Collective Security Council, which is scheduled for the second half of 2023 in Minsk. A number of documents were approved for further endorsement by the CSTO Collective Security Council, including proposals On Establishing the 'Together for Peace' Medal and On the Distribution of Quota Positions in the Secretariat of the Collective Security Treaty Organization, the Russian Foreign Ministry said.

The ministry said foreign ministers will next convene in Belarus in the fourth quarter of 2023.

Meanwhile, Kabul Now reported on June 21 that the CSTO member nations reaffirmed their continued support for the people of Afghanistan and called on the Taliban authorities to engage in a “meaningful dialogue” with all ethnic groups to form an inclusive, united, and peaceful state.

The statement reportedly stressed the preservation and respect of human rights, particularly the rights of women and girls, and called for the prevention of forced displacement of different ethnic groups across the country.

The statement said that the deteriorating security situation in Afghanistan is concerning and stressed to prevent the increasing activities of Islamic State – Khorasan Province and deployment of military infrastructure facilities in third countries.

“We call on the current authorities of Afghanistan to step up counter-terrorism measures, eradicate terrorism in the country, and prevent it from becoming a hotbed of international terrorism.” Part of the statement reads, according to Kabul Now. 

In doing so, the CSTO member nations reportedly reiterated their readiness to provide consolidated assistance in combating the threats to regional security emanating from Afghanistan, including in terms of maintaining peace and stability on the southern borders as well as the Tajikistan-Afghanistan border.

CSTO Foreign Ministers also expressed concern about the growth of drug trafficking and urged the Taliban leadership to “fulfill its obligations to eradicate drug production and drug crime.”

The CSTO member nations noted the importance of implementing an initiative to create a “security belt” around Afghanistan in a bid to thwart potential security risks at the border lines.

The Collective Security Treaty Organization includes Russia, Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan.