Call for a de-escalation of tensions between the Kyrgyz Republic and the Republic of Tajikistan

Written declaration No. 754 | Doc. 15637 | 17 October 2022

Signatories:

Mr Kimmo KILJUNEN, Finland, SOC ; Ms Boriana ÅBERG, Sweden, EPP/CD ; Ms Nerea AHEDO, Spain, ALDE ; Ms Ann-Britt ÅSEBOL, Sweden, EPP/CD ; Mr Fourat BEN CHIKHA, Belgium, SOC ; Mr Iulian BULAI, Romania, ALDE ; Ms Laura CASTEL, Spain, UEL ; Mr Pedro CEGONHO, Portugal, SOC ; Ms Heike ENGELHARDT, Germany, SOC ; Ms Nicole HÖCHST, Germany, EC/DA ; Ms Maria-Gabriela HORGA, Romania, EPP/CD ; Ms Yevheniia KRAVCHUK, Ukraine, ALDE ; Mr Christophe LACROIX, Belgium, SOC ; Mr George LOUCAIDES, Cyprus, UEL ; Mr Gianni MARILOTTI, Italy, SOC ; Ms Yuliia OVCHYNNYKOVA, Ukraine, ALDE ; Mr Gianluca PERILLI, Italy, SOC ; Mr Thomas PRINGLE, Ireland, UEL ; Mr Stefan SCHENNACH, Austria, SOC ; Mr Frank SCHWABE, Germany, SOC ; Mr Davor Ivo STIER, Croatia, EPP/CD ; Ms Diana STOICA, Romania, ALDE ; Mr Andreas Sjalg UNNELAND, Norway, UEL ; Ms Tamara VONTA, Slovenia, ALDE ; Ms Yelyzaveta YASKO, Ukraine, EPP/CD

This written declaration does not reflect the position of the Assembly; only of those members that have signed it. It will not be considered further by the Assembly.

We, the undersigned, declare the following:

The sporadic border clashes that have been taking place between the Kyrgyz Republic and the Republic of Tajikistan escalated on 14 September 2022 resulting in the death of some 70 people and many more injured. Despite a quick cease-fire two days later, tensions remain between the two countries.

Unfortunately, these violent clashes have a negative impact on regional stability and have caused unnecessary suffering.

We recall the need to respect the commitments under the Helskinki Final Act of the OSCE, including the effective implementation of the cease-fire, respect the territorial integrity, the inviolability of existing frontiers, to refrain from the use of force, the prevention of loss of lives and the de-escalation of tensions as soon as possible.

We welcome the European Union’s offer to provide assistance, as well as continued active political support for stability and prosperity in the region. We also welcome the Kyrgyz Republic’s commitment to our common values as a partner for democracy to the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe and call on Tajikistan to follow suit.