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On June 23, 2016, RIAC held a seminar on fighting terrorism in Central Asia and Afghanistan. Talatbek Masadykov, former political affairs officer at the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan, spoke to RIAC website editors about solving the Afghanistan problem, the validity of criticism of the Eurasian Economic Union and the multi-faceted approach to working on international issues.

On June 23, 2016, RIAC held a seminar on fighting terrorism in Central Asia and Afghanistan. Talatbek Masadykov, former political affairs officer at the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan, spoke to RIAC website editors about solving the Afghanistan problem, the validity of criticism of the Eurasian Economic Union and the multi-faceted approach to working on international issues.

At the RIAC meeting Hekmat Karzai, Deputy Foreign Minister of Afghanistan said that the Afghani people expect military aid from Russia. Do you believe this will help stabilize the situation in the country?

For Afghanistan, any aid will be significant. However, the Afghani people and, in particular, the government of Afghanistan, need to resolve their internal problems. The country lacks unity: whatever question it tackles (appointments, political decisions and other issues), the government comes to a standstill. This is why various opposition forces, including the armed opposition, succeed: people understand that there is no real, serious, unified government. Moreover, there is no single approach to solving problems both within the country and beyond its borders. I think that the weak should always be helped everywhere, but before trying to solve the problems, it is necessary to ensure that the government of Afghanistan functions efficiently, which at present it does not.

Talatbek Masadykov

The negative processes taking place in Afghanistan could destabilize Central Asia far quicker and easier than Central Asia could aid stabilization in Afghanistan.

Could Central Asian republics help stabilize the situation?

I think Central Asian republics do not play a significant role in stabilizing the situation in Afghanistan. I believe, it works the other way round: the negative processes taking place in Afghanistan could destabilize Central Asia far quicker and easier than Central Asia could aid stabilization in Afghanistan. If we take each of the five Central Asian states individually, some will be stronger economically, others will be stronger politically and militarily, and others still will be weaker in every respect. Some countries are themselves in need of economic, financial, military- political and military-technical aid. That is why Central Asian states can only be a positive force politically. All the countries concerned should approach the common problem of terrorism in Central Asia, as well as and in Afghanistan and Pakistan, very seriously, yet without interfering in Afghanistan’s internal affairs.

How real is the threat posed by Afghanistan for the EEU, given the fact that the borders with Kyrgyzstan are now open?

The threat is very real. Some believe that Russia exaggerates this threat, because it is trying to strengthen its presence in the region and pull the Central Asian states back under its umbrella. In my opinion, this remark is somewhat unprofessional. As someone who has spent many years in Afghanistan, I think that Russia even understates these threats. In reality, the situation is very difficult. This is why the EEU, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan should immediately pay serious attention to coordinating and resolving the border problems.

Interaction should be carried out at all levels: not only among heads of state, but also among the military, the police, border guards and customs services. Currently, there is a revival of activity in this direction, but no real work is getting done. Meetings are held and things are said. Yet some prefer to remain silent, content to simply sit on the fence at conferences. Some have not been instructed to speak, while others still are afraid to voice their position. As a result, so far there is no real coordination with regard to eliminating the existing threats. The borders with Kyrgyzstan need to be opened, and the EEU is a step in the right direction. Still, it must be emphasized that the management of economic problems between the EEU countries is unacceptably poor. The people who should be managing these processes and working together to solve problems are not doing their job. That is why any EEU initiatives are harshly criticized.

Is it possible for Russia and the West to cooperate effectively in the settlement of the situation in Afghanistan?

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I think we can. Moreover, I think we should. The decision to start interacting will depend on both parties. I think that the two main drivers of international law, Russia and the United States, must start moving forward. Today it is clear that a unipolar world is not conducive to resolving global problems. A bipolar or a multipolar world is probably more acceptable for the international community than the dominance of one state over the entire planet.

Could the United States and European countries manage without Russia?

I think that this would be difficult too. Various conflicts have shown that an issue in an isolated part of the region can be resolved. However, when a conflict goes beyond the borders of one particular country and engulfs the entire region, it is probably impossible to resolve it without Russia and China. I think everyone sees quite clearly that these issues have to be sorted out together.

Interviewed by RIAC website editor Mariya Smekalova

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  1. In your opinion, what are the US long-term goals for Russia?
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