The Uzbek authorities realize Tajikistan’s concern over the situation along the southern borders of the CIS, Uzbek Defense Minister Abdusalom Azizov said yesterday in Dushanbe at a meeting with his Russian counterpart Sergei Shoigu on the sidelines of the 73rd session of the CIS Council of Defense Ministers, according to Radio Liberty’s Tajiks Service, locally known as Ozodi.
According to Uzbek minister, his country will take every effort to ensure protection of the CIS southern borders.
“We also have a common border with Afghanistan and if anything is taking place in Tajikistan or Kyrgyzstan it will not remain without consequences for Uzbekistan,” Azizov noted.
He further noted that if the countries of the region exchange information in time and jointly solve emerging problems, “everything will be normal.”
Meanwhile, Azizov have also met with Tajik Defense Minister Sherali Mirzo on the sidelines of the CIS defense ministers’ session in Dushanbe. “The two discussed the issues related to future contacts between the defense ministries of the two countries,” said Faridoun Mahmadalizoda, a spokesman for the Tajik Ministry of Defense (MoD).
It is to be noted that Uzbek defense minister arrived in Tajikistan for the first ever visit since the collapse of the Soviet Union. The main purpose of the visit was for Azizov to participate in a meeting of the CIS Council of Defense Minister that took place in the Tajik capital on October 12.
