Russia, in accordance with the principles of strategic partnership and alliance with Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan, is ready to help solve any disputes between the countries by political and diplomatic methods. This was stated in a commentary by Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova distributed on Friday.
"Moscow has been following with concern the sharp aggravation of the situation on the disputed section of the border between the brotherly Kyrgyz Republic and the Republic of Tajikistan. <...> We support the decision of Bishkek and Dushanbe to set up a joint working group that will be responsible for information work with the population and patrolling and monitoring the situation in the border area," reads the commentary. - "Russia, following the principles of strategic partnership and alliance with Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan, is ready to provide all possible assistance in resolving any disputes by political and diplomatic methods".
"Unfortunately, as a result of the armed clashes there are human casualties. There are a lot of casualties on both sides. At the moment the situation has stabilized, but tensions still remain. We express our condolences to the relatives and friends of the victims and wish a speedy recovery to the injured," the commentary reads.
Russia welcomes the agreement of Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan to stop clashes on the border and calls for the development of measures for long-term normalization. "We welcome the agreements reached on the night of April 30 between the parties to stop the clashes and transfer the tense situation to the stage of negotiations, the withdrawal of forces and military equipment," Zakharova said. - "We urge the sides, through further negotiations - in a spirit of alliance and good neighborliness - to reach sustainable and long-term agreements that will normalize the situation and take effective measures to prevent the recurrence of such incidents from happening".
GSV "Russia - Islamic World"
Photo: Russian Foreign Ministry
Based on materials from TASS