Russia is carefully monitoring the situation on the Tajik-Afghan border and is ready to take the most decisive measures in case of aggravation, Maria Zakharova, director of the Russian foreign ministry's Information and press department, said at a briefing on Thursday.
"If necessary, the most decisive measures will be taken in accordance with the principles of Russian-Tajikistan alliance and strategic partnership, which the Russian leadership has repeatedly said," she said.
"The situation in Afghanistan and on the Tajik-Afghan border is the focus of our closest attention," the diplomat continued. - "Moscow and Dushanbe maintain intensive contacts, in particular through defense agencies, border guards and, of course, diplomatic missions. We continue to cooperate in the sphere of strengthening of combat capabilities of Tajikistan and its border service, taking into account all our operational needs. The 201st Russian military base is equipped with everything necessary to assist the government of the republic in case of aggravation of the situation".
According to the spokesman of the diplomatic mission, Russia assumes that Taliban (banned in Russia) will apply "all efforts for implementation of the given and sounded assurances including in the part of ensuring that no threat to the security of third countries, first of all to neighboring countries, comes from the territory of Afghanistan".
"We continue to use our contacts with the Taliban movement to consistently promote the idea of forming an inclusive government in Afghanistan that would reflect the interests of all ethno-political and religious forces in the country, as well as conducting a responsible, civilized policy with regard to external players and, of course, the civilian population of this country," Zakharova stressed.
GSV "Russia - Islamic World"
Photo: Sergey Bobylev / TASS
Based on materials from TASS