Shoigu: Situation in Central Asia causes concern

Radical groups belonging to foreign terrorist organizations and concentrated in the north of Afghanistan have stepped up their activities aimed at the Central Asian republics. Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu stated this on Friday at a meeting of the heads of military agencies of the SCO countries in New Delhi, RIA Novosti reports.

According to him, “the likelihood of infiltration by militants of various foreign terrorist organizations, such as ISIS, Al-Qaeda, the Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan and the Islamic Movement of East Turkestan, is increasing.” “This means that we should clearly coordinate and step up our efforts to counter terrorism, separatism and extremism, and develop measures to stabilize the situation in the region,” Shoigu added.

He noted the importance of keeping the topic of Afghanistan on the SCO agenda.

“Without comprehensive international and regional assistance, it will be difficult for this country to cope with the challenges on its own,” the head of the Russian defence ministry concluded.