DUSHANBE, 30.04.2021 (NIAT Khovar) – The delegations of Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan held talks in Isfara and issued a joint statement in which they confirmed their intention to end the armed conflict that occurred on the Tajik-Kyrgyz border on April 29. The statement was signed by the Chairman of the State Committee for National Security of Tajikistan Saimumin Yatimov and the Plenipotentiary Representative of the Government of Kyrgyzstan in Batken Omurbek Suvanaliev.

The text notes that the commissions for the settlement of armed conflict in the border areas discussed the causes and consequences of Thursday’s incident and agreed to take measures to prevent the escalation of tension, to create a joint working group from among law enforcement and executive officials of the two countries to fully implement the planned measures and create appropriate stabilizing conditions for a fruitful negotiation process in the interests of two states.

Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan signed a joint protocol, which states:

“On April 29, a working meeting of representatives of Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan was held to discuss the settlement of armed conflict.

Chairman of the State Committee for National Security S. Yatimov, First Deputy Chairman — Commander of the Border Guard of the State Committee for National Security R. Rahmonali, Chairman of Sughd R. Ahmadzoda met with the Kyrgyz side, in particular, the Plenipotentiary Representative of the Government in the Batken region O. Suvanaliev, First Deputy Chairman — Director of the Border Service of the State Committee for National Security U. Sharsheev, First Deputy Minister of Internal Affairs S. Omurzakov, and Deputy Chairman of the State Committee for National Security A. Shamenov.

The parties, based on good-neighborly relations and in pursuance of previously adopted interstate agreements, have come to a mutual agreement on the following issues:

1. Stop hostilities in the border areas of Sughd and Batken from 18:30 on April 29 this year Dushanbe time (from 19:30 on April 29 Bishkek time).
2. Withdraw troops and military equipment from the border areas of Sughd and Batken to their places of permanent deployment.
3. Continue the negotiation process to stabilize the situation in the border areas.
4. Create a working group from among the employees of the border troops, security and internal affairs agencies of both states to monitor the implementation of the agreements reached in this protocol.

The joint protocol was signed by S. Yatimov, R. Rahmonali, R. Ahmadzoda, and by O. Suvanaliev, U. Sharsheev, S. Omurzakov.”

Yesterday, the intentions of the parties to cease fire were greeted by the UN.

“We are following this [the situation on the border between Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan] with concern, we have seen these reports. We are also aware that both states — Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan — have announced that they have agreed on a ceasefire. If this is indeed the case, we will welcome it,” Deputy Spokesman for the UN Secretary General Farhan Haq said at a briefing on April 29.