New York, 22 September 2022 (TDI): The Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Kyrgyz Republic, Zheenbek Kulubaev, met with the President of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) Peter Maurer as part of the participation in the 77th session of the UN General Assembly on Wednesday.

Also read: Kyrgyz Foreign Ministry’s statement on Kyrgyz-Tajik conflict

Zheenbek Kulubaev informed the President of the ICRC  about the situation on the Kyrgyz-Tajik border as a result of the armed aggression of the Republic of Tajikistan during September 14-17.

Moreover, the Foreign Minister also reiterated the commitment of Kyrgyzstan to de-escalation and the unchanging position on the need to resolve conflicts between countries.

Kulubaev informed the ICRC President that at present, Kyrgyzstan is faced with the primary task of fully restoring the destroyed infrastructure and social facilities, residential buildings, and providing assistance to the families of the affected citizens of the Republic of Kyrgyzstan.

Furthermore, the Kyrgyz Foreign Minister also expressed hope for the timely support of the ICRC Mission in solving problems on the Kyrgyz-Tajik border.

Kyrgyz-Tajik border dispute

At least 100 people have been killed between September 14 and 16 in fighting involving the use of tanks, aviation and rocket artillery on a disputed area of the border in the Batken province of Kyrgyzstan.

Kyrgyz authorities also said they had negotiated on 19 September for the release of four border guards who had been captured by Tajik troops during the conflict.

Neither Kyrgyzstan nor Tajikistan is being forthcoming about the disposition of their forces around the disputed border. However, Tajik troops have retreated from the Kyrgyz villages that they occupied after the first surge of major clashes.

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