Russian president Vladimir Putin considers the neutralization of potential threats from the territory of Afghanistan one of the tasks of the CIS countries' special services.
"The neutralization of potential threats from the territory of Afghanistan is of particular importance for CIS security," the head of state said at a meeting with the heads of CIS special services on Wednesday. "We are all well aware of the serious influence that events in that country can have on the situation in Central Asia, Transcaucasia, and other regions," Putin said.
According to the Russian president, the past years have shown that the close partnership of CIS special services "noticeably strengthens security in the Commonwealth and helps to fight more effectively against common threats, including international terrorism, extremism, illegal arms and drug trafficking, transnational crime, and illegal migration."
"At the same time, it is necessary to move forward and increase the level of interaction in all key areas," the Russian leader is convinced.
Talking about potential threats from Afghanistan, he reminded that these issues were discussed in detail at the summits of the Collective security treaty organization and Shanghai cooperation organization in September. "Of course, we will be considering this topic at the upcoming CIS summit as well," Putin assured. The CIS summit is scheduled for October 15.
Security in the CIS
Russia is concerned about the possible impact of the events in Afghanistan on the security situation in the CIS space, Putin said. He noted that all the issues the agencies are dealing with are also in the field of view of the governments and heads of states, especially in connection with the events in Afghanistan.
"Of course, all this worries us very much. Of course, it is: it is our common security space, we have transparent borders, and we are not indifferent in our CIS countries," Putin said.
The president of Russia also drew attention to the cooperation in this regard through the defense ministries, "and not only in information but also in the supply of weapons and equipment and personnel training". However, the Russian leader continued, without information of special services such work can not be done efficiently, "a lot depends on you in terms of security".
According to him, only by joining their capabilities is it possible to achieve the necessary results in this area.
Terrorist expansion
Putin warned of the danger to neighboring countries posed by terrorist groups operating in Afghanistan.
"The situation in Afghanistan is not easy. After the final withdrawal of US troops, power has passed into the hands of the Taliban (banned in the Russian Federation) who are setting their own rules, their own orders," noted the head of state.
At the same time, according to Putin, a number of international terrorist groups of the Russian-banned Islamic State (ISIS) continue to operate in the country, and "fighters with combat experience are being actively recruited there from Iraq and Syria". "Therefore, it is not ruled out that terrorists may try to destabilize the situation in neighboring states as well, including the CIS countries, up to the start of the direct expansion," Putin stressed.
"In this regard, it is important to constantly monitor the situation on the Afghan border and be ready to counter militants, and for this purpose - to coordinate the work of law enforcement agencies, if necessary to conduct joint special operations, especially since you have experience of successful work in this direction, including within the framework of the CIS Anti-terrorist center," the Russian leader addressed the meeting participants.
Monitor the risks
The special services should continue to closely monitor the situation and comprehensively analyze the possible challenges and risks, Putin said.
"As before, it is important for your agencies to clearly monitor the emerging situation, any challenges and risks, comprehensively analyze and calculate how they may affect security in our common region, what negative consequences they may cause for international political, economic and humanitarian spheres. And to respond to them adequately, respectively," said the head of the Russian state.
Neighborliness and cooperation
Putin welcomed heads of security and special services of CIS countries who arrived in the Russian capital. He noted that the practice of regular meetings in this format has proven its relevance. This time representatives of CIS countries will discuss the situation in the region and in the world in general, define the range of basic internal and external challenges as well as ways of neutralization of potential threats.
"This year the CIS marks its 30th anniversary. All this time, our organization has inevitably faced the difficult challenges of a dynamically changing world amid many factors of uncertainty. It has sought to act on the principles of equality and mutual consideration of interests," the Russian president said.
In fact, he continued, the CIS has become the largest regional association in the post-Soviet space in terms of the number of participants, and it has retained this position. "I emphasize that [the organization] serves as an authoritative and sometimes irreplaceable platform for constructive dialogue and multifaceted interaction between our states," the Russian leader pointed out.
Putin drew attention to the fact that the peoples of the Commonwealth are bound by a common past, centuries-old experience of good-neighborliness and fruitful cooperation. "Such is the intertwining of millions of human destinies. We in Russia cherish and are proud of this heritage and we are well aware that today, in the 21st century, applying their efforts and potential, the CIS countries are much better able to solve the most ambitious challenges of national development. Acting as partners and allies, we must work together for a successful, prosperous future," he stressed.
Reliable protection
The Russian leader noted that over the past decade security and intelligence agencies of the Commonwealth countries have always sought to closely coordinate their work to ensure security in the state and society, to protect the rights and freedoms of citizens. "And we have achieved significant results along the way," Putin stated.
Now, he continued, the common and main task of these agencies remains unchanged - this is the "reliable protection of stability, sovereignty and peaceful development of the CIS countries" and the promotion of multidimensional integration processes in the area of association.
Information area
Putin called on the special services of the CIS countries to pay special attention to the information sphere, since digital technologies are increasingly being used for criminal purposes.
"Among the important priorities is to ensure the security of the Commonwealth countries in the information sphere," the head of state pointed out. He reminded that "in recent years, the information space, the global network is developing dynamically, opening up new opportunities for entrepreneurship, education and communication. "At the same time, digital technologies are increasingly being used for criminal activities - from economic fraud and drug distribution to propaganda of extremism and recruitment to terrorist groups," Putin stressed.
According to him, "all this illegal, criminal activity requires special attention" from the security services.
According to the Russian leader, the special services of CIS countries "should further develop the exchange of information, including analytical and forecasting information, improve the methods and forms of interaction and make them more modern and effective". "Of course, the CIS countries should continue joint training of personnel and regular advanced training of employees of security bodies and intelligence services," assures the head of the Russian state. "You have enough experience in such work and it is necessary to use it more actively," said the President to the participants of the meeting. In his opinion "we should not forget: the future of the departments is undoubtedly in the hands of promising and talented specialists".
Putin is convinced that the constant joint work of intelligence agencies "will help to solve key problems of security and stability in the CIS more effectively and contribute to the peaceful and prosperous development of countries and peoples.
GSV "Russia - Islamic World"
Photo: official website of the President of the Russian Federation
Based on materials from TASS