Security: Afghanistan, Pakistan and Tajikistan discuss extremist violence

Afghanistan, Pakistan and Tajikistan agreed on Thursday to coordinate efforts in their fight against extrenist violence which has threatened to spill over into the broader Central Asia region.

The presidents of the three Muslim nations, speaking after a summit in Tajikistan, emphasized security was a key issue but offered few details about what was discussed. "We attached primary attention to common security issues," Tajikistan's Imomali Rakhmon said after talks with Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari and Afghan counterpart Hamid Karzai.

"The three states have expressed enthusiasm to cooperate in fighting against all threats and challenges like terrorism and all its manifestations: separatism, extremism and organized crime."

Highlighting Russia's aspirations for a greater role in Afghanistan, President Dmitry Medvedev is due to arrive in Tajikistan later in the day to meet the trio.

REUTERS VARZOB, TAJIKISTAN

Published by Mike Hitchen,
Putting principles before profits
Afghanistan Pakistan Tajikistan Security Terrorism