The Turkmenistan representative at the meeting for establishing coordination between the United Nations and regional organizations stated that Ashgabat will continue its efforts to achieve peace and stability in Afghanistan in coordination with these organizations.
The meeting for cooperation and coordination between the United Nations and regional organizations, including the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, the Collective Security Treaty Organization, and the Commonwealth of Independent States, was held yesterday (Friday) at the United Nations Security Council.
The Turkmenistan representative said: “We will continue our cooperation with regional organizations to achieve peace and stability in Afghanistan. Our position is to cooperate with the ruling authorities to eliminate the humanitarian crisis and radicalization of the Afghan people. Implementing infrastructure projects is key to achieving peace and stability in Afghanistan.”
Elisabeth Spehar, Assistant Secretary-General of the United Nations for Peace Affairs, also emphasized a more coherent international partnership for stability in Afghanistan and the region at this meeting.
She said: “We also focus on the impact of developments in Afghanistan on regional stability, and seek opportunities to advance international engagement in a more coherent, coordinated, and structured manner.”
Zhang Ming, Secretary-General of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, said at the meeting: “In February this year, I participated in the special representatives’ meeting in Doha on Afghanistan led by the Secretary-General and expressed the Shanghai Cooperation Organization’s support for international efforts, including those of the United Nations, to achieve peace and progress in Afghanistan.”
However, the Secretary-General of the Collective Security Treaty Organization described Afghanistan as a source of instability in Central Asia at the meeting, claiming that threats from terrorism and narcotics in this country have taken on a new form.
Imangali Tasmagambetov, Secretary-General of the Collective Security Treaty Organization, added: “The most significant source of instability in Central Asia is Afghanistan. Despite positive developments in this country, the threat of the spread of terrorism, radical ideologies, and narcotics has not only not decreased but has taken on a new form.”
Sergei Vershinin, Deputy Foreign Minister of Russia, said: “Another constant priority of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization is the fight against threats of terrorism, extremism, drug trafficking, and organized crime, particularly threats stemming from Afghanistan.”
The Islamic Emirate has not commented on this matter yet; however, it has consistently denied threats of terrorism from Afghan soil to other countries and emphasized the effective role of regional organizations in Afghanistan’s issues.