Kyrgyz PM Abylgaziev meets with PM of Tajikistan Kokhir Rasulzoda

Bishkek, Sept.18, 2019. /Kabar/. Meeting of Prime Ministers of Kyrgyzstan Mukhammedkalyi Abylgaziev and Tajikistan Kokhir Rasulzoda took place at Kyzyl-Bel checkpoint of Kyrgyz-Tajik state border, the press service of the Kyrgyz Government reported.
During the meeting, the sides discussed issues, related to the adoption of joint measures to de-escalate the situation in the Kyrgyz-Tajik section of the state border in connection with the incident with the use of firearms that occurred on Monday, Sept. 16.
The heads of Government expressed regret that the armed incident had led to the death of servicemen, and expressed condolences to the families and relatives and close friends of the victims.
They also spoke out for the intensification of multifaceted joint work on the delimitation and demarcation of the state border and the removal of the accumulated issues of cross-border cooperation.
Mukhammedkalyi Abylgaziev and Kokhir Rasulzoda confirmed their mutual commitment to previous agreements and a constructive approach in addressing emerging issues.
In particular, the prime ministers instructed heads of border services and local authorities of the two countries to intensify interaction at all levels and strengthen relevant outreach activities among the population of border villages.
The sides expressed the view that it is necessary to take exhaustive measures to relieve tension in the border areas and prevent escalation of the situation in the interests of the peoples of the two countries.
Supervising deputy PMs of the two republics, as well as heads of the border services today, on the behalf of the prime ministers, will continue to work together on the spot in order to speed up the resolution of issues.
On Sept. 16, a border incident with the use of weapons occurred on the Kyrgyz-Tajik section of the state border, the Tajik side was the first to use weapons, firing at the Kyrgyz border post Maksat from group weapons, and then the temporary Sai border post in Leilek region of Batken Oblast.
As a result of the conflict on the Kyrgyz-Tajik border, in total 14 people injured, including one soldier died on the spot.