CSTO secretary general calls on Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan for immediate ceasefire on joint border

MOSCOW. Jan 27 (Interfax) - Secretary General of the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) Stanislav Zas has called on the Tajik and Kyrgyz opposing sides for an immediate ceasefire on the border between these countries, CSTO spokesperson Vladimir Zainetdinov told reporters on Thursday.

"Stanislav Zas has just held phone talks with Secretary of the Security Council of the Republic of Tajikistan Nasrullo Mahmudzoda and Secretary of the Security Council of the Kyrgyz Republic Marat Imankulov, during which the CSTO secretary general called for an immediate ceasefire between the parties on the Kyrgyz-Tajik border," Zainetdinov said.

"Resumed hostilities on the border, as a result of which a number of persons were reported injured, are of serious concern," Zas is quoted as saying by the CSTO spokesperson.

"The armed confrontation on the Tajik-Kyrgyz border must be stopped immediately. The conflict must be resolved exclusively through peaceful negotiations. For this purpose, the CSTO stands ready to provide Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan with the necessary assistance in resolving the conflict. I am confident that the leadership of both CSTO member states will find mutually acceptable ways to resolve this complicated border crisis," Zas said.

Earlier, the Kyrgyz Border Guard Service said that the Kyrgyz-Tajik border situation has aggravated due to the blocking of the Batken-Isfana road. Following the talks between the border representatives of Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan, the road section was reopened. However, the situation deteriorated and there was an exchange of fire between Kyrgyz and Tajik border guard units. The skirmishes are ongoing in the areas of Tort-Kocho and Chyr-Dobo. The Tajik side is using mortars and grenade launchers, Kyrgyz Border Guard Service said.