KABUL - Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Dr. Abdullah Abdullah is scheduled to leave for neighbouring Tajikistan on Sunday to discuss with Tajik officials issues concerning security and narcotics, an official said on Saturday.

An official at the CEO office, wishing anonymity, told Pajhwok Afghan News Abdullah at the head of a high-level delegation will be meeting Tajikistan President Emomali Rahmon and Prime Minister Kokhir Rasulzoda during his two-day visit.

Abdullah would discuss enhancing cooperation in areas of security and fighting corruption besides a gas pipeline project between the two countries and the CASA-1000 project with Tajik officials, the source said.

The CEO would also participate in an international conference on water to be held in Dushanbe, the capital of Tajikistan. Representatives from about 100 countries will participate in the conference.

Abdullah will be accompanied by Foreign Minister Salahuddin Rabbani, ministers of water and energy, telecommunication and information technology, economy, commerce, mines and petroleum, their deputies and a number of lawmakers.

On Thursday, Tajikistan Defense Minister Sherali Mirzo said the situation in Afghanistan’s provinces bordering Tajikistan was deteriorating and required coordinated action in the military-technical sphere in the framework of the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO).

"In this context, of particular concern is the situation in neighboring Afghanistan affecting considerably the regional security," he told the SCTO defence ministers’ meeting on Thursday. (Pajhwok)