The bilateral conflict between Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan has not been discussed on the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) platforms, Bakhtiyor Khakimov, Russian Presidential Special Representative for SCO Affairs and Ambassador at Large of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said at a briefing on Tuesday.
"What was happening was of course in sight, but I would just like to emphasize, and this is emphasized in the charter: <...> not to bring bilateral disagreements to the SCO platform, only if both sides are interested in raising this topic, this is just the very principle of consensus," he said.
At the same time, according to Khakimov, an informal discussion of the crisis situation between the leaders of the two countries took place within the framework of the SCO summit. "It's obvious that there were contacts between the Kyrgyz and Tajik sides in Samarkand, moreover, the leaders had the opportunity to talk," he noted.
The SCO summit was held in Samarkand last week. The leaders, including Russian President Vladimir Putin, met in a narrow and extended format and also held a series of bilateral meetings. As a result, the process of admitting Belarus as a full-fledged member of the association was launched, and Iran signed a memorandum of commitment to join the SCO. Egypt and Qatar became dialogue partners, and Bahrain, Kuwait, Maldives, Myanmar and the UAE began the process of acquiring this status.
On situation on Kyrgyzstan-Tajikistan border
The situation on the border between the two countries escalated on September 14. According to the Kyrgyz side, Tajik border guards entered the border section of Batken district of Batken region of Kyrgyzstan and "took combat positions." In response to a demand to leave the territory, the Tajik border guards opened fire, followed by an exchange of fire. A few hours later armed clashes also occurred in the Kak-Sai and Pasky-Aryk areas of Batken region. On September 17, the Kyrgyz border guard service reported firing at a border section of Osh province.
Since September 18, the Kyrgyz border guard service has not signaled any new incidents. Law enforcement agencies of the two countries began joint patrols along the section of road that runs along the border. Kyrgyz authorities evacuated about 140,000 citizens. On the Kyrgyz side, 59 people were killed and more than 180 injured. On September 19, Kyrgyzstan declared national mourning.
GSV "Russia - Islamic world"
Photo: Russian Foreign Ministry
Based on materials from TASS