CSTO Afghanistan Working Group Expresses Concern Over Terrorism, Drug Trafficking Despite Taliban Actions

MOSCOW — The Collective Security Treaty Organization's (CSTO) Afghanistan Working Group met in Moscow on Wednesday, 19 Hamal, to express concern over the increased activities of terrorist groups and drug trafficking in Afghanistan, which continue despite actions taken by the Taliban.

Participants from CSTO member countries, the organization's secretariat, the United Nations and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization emphasized the need for coordinated cooperation against terrorism and narcotics, continued humanitarian assistance to Afghanistan, ongoing monitoring of the situation there and support for peace processes.

The group approved a work plan for the second half of 2026 and scheduled its next meeting for later that year.

CSTO Secretary General Imangali Tasmagambetov has described Afghanistan as a serious threat to member states. At the 13th meeting of the CIS Security Council Secretaries on 14 Aqrab last year in Moscow, he addressed concerns about Afghanistan's stability.

CSTO members maintain political and economic interactions with the Taliban but remain worried about terrorist groups operating in the country. These concerns have been underscored by border attacks launched from Afghan soil targeting Tajikistan last year and earlier this year.