According to the Russian leader, Afghanistan remains one of the most acute challenges for the security of the region.

Putin stated that the country was unable to independently resolve problems associated with terrorist threats as a result of over 20 years of occupation by the United States and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization.

Proof of this is the series of recent violent attacks, including the explosion at the Russian embassy in Kabul on September 5th, he said. It is necessary to jointly promote the economic recovery of Afghanistan in order to normalize the situation, he said.

In his opinion, in the context of a settlement on Afghanistan, it would be useful to use the capabilities of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization and its regional anti-terrorist structure.

“We also invite all Asian countries to a closer cooperation with the established international data bank on Moscow’s initiative to counter terrorism,” Putin said.

He also spoke of a Conference draft declaration the elaborated jointly by Russia and China, aimed at ensuring security in the field of information and communication technologies, and expressed hope it is approved.

llp/jf/gfa