Tajikistan welcomes security zone around Afghanistan

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21/7 Tass 58

DUSHANBE, July 21 (Itar-Tass) -- Tajikistan welcomes creation of the
security zone around Afghanistan as an effective mechanism to prevent drug
smuggling, Tajikistan's Foreign Minister Khamrakhon Zarifi said over the
international conference on Afghanistan in Kabul.
"Tajikistan considers the security zone around Afghanistan as an
effective mechanism to prevent drug smuggling and to fight organised
crime," he said. He highlighted the fact that Tajikistan's border with
Afghanistan makes 1,400 kilometres and the narcotic threat is permanent
there.
Over the current year, Tajikistan's law enforcement authorities have
confiscated about 2.5 tonnes of Afghani drugs, where the major part was
stopped at the attempt to bring them into Russia.
Tajikistan supports the efforts of the international community on the
post-conflict revival of Afghanistan, the establishment of peace and
stability in that country. Dushanbe, in its turn, is prepared to support
the neighbour in training of its military at "the training facilities for
border guards, law enforcement and security forces."
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