Afghanistan, Sept. 9 -- Russian Defense Minister Andrey Belousov said strengthening security along Tajikistan's border with Afghanistan has become one of Moscow's top regional defense priorities, as Russia deepens military cooperation with its Central Asian ally over concerns about instability and terrorism spilling across the frontier.
Belousov made the remarks during a ceremony marking the 35th anniversary of Tajikistan's independence in Moscow, where he described Tajikistan as one of Russia's key strategic security partners in Central Asia. He said Moscow is expanding collective security cooperation through the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO), the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) and the Commonwealth of Independent...