Statement made by Sughd region police chief on Batken not official position of Tajikistan – Foreign Minister

AKIPRESS.COM - The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Tajikistan said the statement made by Sughd region police chief Abdulo Navjuvonov is his personal opinion and as such doest not reflect the position of the country, Asia-Plus reported. The Sughd reigon police chief told reporters earlier that "judging from history, the current territory of Batken was Tajik land and the Kyrgyz never lived there."
The Foreign Ministry summoned Ambassador of Tajikistan Nazrimad Alizoda for a talk immediately after that statement.
"First, this is the personal opinion of Sughd region police chief Abdullo Navjuvonov. He did not say that at the official meeting to take the statement as an official position of Tajikistan," Tajik Foreign Minister Sirojiddin Muhriddin said today.
"Our official position on all border issues is expressed at meetings of the intergovernmental commissions of two countries. Only Deputy Prime Minister, who co-chairs the commission on the part of Tajikistan, or the Ministry of Foreign Affairs have the right to express the official position of Tajikistan," the Minister underscored.
He said the history of those territories from both sides was well studied by historians of the two countries.