Any attempts to cross border into Uzbekistan to be suppressed, Foreign Ministry says

AKIPRESS.COM - Uzbekistan closely follows the situation in Afghanistan, especially in its northern provinces bordering with Uzbekistan, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Uzbekistan said in a statement issued on June 24. "The growth of violence in the neighboring country arouses deep concerns. Escalation of tension amid new wave of coronavirus infection makes life of people in Afghanistan even more difficult," the statement said.
"We urge all sides involved into the conflict to refrain from use of force and to prevent casualties among civilians," the statement added.
According to the Foreign Ministry, 53 servicemen of Afghan government forces crossed the border into Uzbekistan near Shortepa area. After interrogation and investigation the Afghan nationals were returned back to Afghanistan.
"Any attempts to illegally cross the border into Uzbekistan will be toughly suppressed. The most strict measures will be adopted towards border intruders," the Foreign Ministry said.
Uzbekistan remains committed to maintenance of traditionally friendly and good neighborly relations with Afghanistan, keeping neutrality and non-interference into internal affairs of the neighboring country," the statement said.
The government of Uzbekistan will continue providing all possible economic and humanitarian assistance to Afghanistan, including through implementation of major energy, transport and communications projects, which will allow to bring peace to the country, the statement concluded.