Official website of the President of Russia

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President Vladimir Putin: Ladies and Gentlemen,

As you know, Russia has joined the treaty on the foundation of CAC. By working in this organisation, we firstly expect to seriously increase our practical capabilities in opposing such threats as terrorism and religious extremism in our region, in the war on the illegal drug trade, and other challenges.

On the initiative of the Uzbekistan President we charged the heads of special services and law-enforcement bodies to prepare in three months a list of terrorist organisations prohibited on the territories of the countries in the organisation. We call on other nations of the CIS to take part in this work. Russia fully and completely supports the decisive steps by Uzbekistan in this direction.

Secondly, we think that economic interaction in the format of this organisation is very promising, which envisages the development of such industries as agroindustrial production, the formation of a common transport space and the stimulation of border trade. Of course, traditionally important spheres of interaction include such problems as water use, hydropower and several other issues.

While discussing issues of regional policy we also noted that CAC member countries are prepared to work actively with neighbouring countries, above all with Afghanistan. Priority areas in our joint work are to oppose terrorism and religious extremism, trans-border organised crime, and the suppression of drug traffic. I think that including this country in regional integration processes will be the right step towards the socio-economic revival of Afghanistan, and peaceful regulation as a whole. Russia welcomes the elections held in Afghanistan, but we note that to achieve stability in this country it is necessary to take into account the interests of all political forces and all ethnic groups.

In conclusion, I would like to thank our Tajik colleagues for the warm reception and organisation of the summit, along with all our colleagues and the Tajikistan President Emomali Sharipovich Rakhmonov.