Abdusalom Azizov: Instability in Afghanistan impedes the implementation of large-scale projects in Central Asia

The unstable situation in Afghanistan contributes to the delay in the implementation of large-scale projects in Central Asia, the chairman of the State Security Service (SSs) of Uzbekistan Abdusalom Azizov said on Thursday.

“Instability in Afghanistan contributes to the growth of drug trafficking and cross-border crime, delaying the implementation of large regional economic, energy and transport projects,” the head of the State Security Service said at a meeting of the CIS Council of Chiefs of Security Agencies and Special Services in Tashkent.

According to him, “the clash of interests of external forces in Afghanistan, the intensification of activities of the armed opposition and terrorist organizations” continues to adversely affect the process of establishing intra-Afghan dialogue.

At the same time, Azizov emphasized that efforts to stabilize the situation in Afghanistan remain an important matter in the “package” of measures to ensure security in the CIS and Central Asia.