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Russian defence ministry: Islamic State plans expansion into Europe, Russia, Asia

"The Islamic State is expanding and declaring plans to spread its activity to Europe, Russia and Central and Southeast Asia," Antonov said

© ITAR-TASS/Stanislav Krasilnikov

BEIJING, October 17. /TASS/. Terrorist organization calling itself the Islamic State keeps expanding and has already declared the intention to spread into Europe, Russia and Central and Southeast Asia, Russia’s Deputy Defence Minister Anatoly Antonov told the 6th Xiangshan Security Forum on Saturday.

He warned that this "extremist quasi-state has stable sources of income and a well-equipped army."

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"The Islamic State is expanding and declaring plans to spread its activity to Europe, Russia and Central and Southeast Asia," Antonov said.

He recalled that Russian President Vladimir Putin at the summit of the UN General Assembly session had put forward a comprehensive action plan.

"The proposal envisages creation of a wide international anti-terrorist coalition that might incorporate various forces on the basis of common values and international law in conformity with the principles of the UN Charter," Antonov said.

He believes that there is great demand for a strategy of political stabilization and economic revival of the Middle East and North Africa.

"Without restoring statehood and strengthening bodies of power there will be no fundamental improvement in the situation. However, in taking future action one should avoid dictating one’s own approaches and by all means respect the national cultures and histories of the countries in the region," he stated.

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