Rakhmon urges donors to finance more to strengthen Afghan border.

DUSHANBE, December 3 (Itar-Tass) - Tajik President Emomali Rakhmon on
Friday urged donor states to increase financing for the strengthening of
the Tajik-Afghan border in connection with the future withdrawal of NATO
forces from Afghanistan.
Rakhmon spoke at the second Tajikistan Development Forum, in which
representatives of international humanitarian organisations and heads of
diplomatic missions accredited in the country took part.
According to Rakhmon, "the Lisbon decision on the gradual withdrawal
of coalition [NATO] troops from Afghanistan cannot but trigger concern in
Tajikistan, taking into consideration the length of its border with
Afghanistan [1,400 kilometres - ed]".
"The strengthening of the border demands significant additional
financing, which Tajikistan does not have," the president noted, urging
donor states to increase the financing.
"Protecting the border with Afghanistan Tajikistan ensures not only
its own security, but security of the region and European countries
against terrorism, extremism and drugs," the Tajik leader stressed.
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