MOSCOW: Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has warned that Islamic State Khorasan, or ISIS-K, wants to use Afghanistan as a base for regional expansion and the creation of a wider caliphate.
In a message to a meeting on strengthening efforts to prevent terrorists from obtaining weapons in Central Asia, Lavrov said terrorist threats remained cross-border in nature and required united international action.
He described ISIS-K as the main threat to Central Asian security and said the group’s activities could endanger neighbouring countries if not contained.
Lavrov said the fight against terrorism required unconditional unity and the rejection of double standards. He also criticised Western countries, saying international counterterrorism cooperation had become hostage to the destructive policies of some Western states.
The Russian foreign minister highlighted Moscow’s regional security efforts and reaffirmed Russia’s commitment to stability in Central Asia.
He said foreign ministers of the Collective Security Treaty Organisation recently approved a draft counterterrorism strategy through 2030 at a meeting in Kazan. The document is expected to be submitted to member-state leaders for final approval this autumn.
Lavrov added that Russia was among the 10 largest financial contributors to the United Nations Office of Counter-Terrorism, providing $7 million to its programmes in Central Asia and Africa.
Russian officials have repeatedly warned that extremist groups and weapons could move from Afghanistan into Central Asia.
