Iran ready to peacefully resolve Kyrgyzstan-Tajikistan border dispute: Cmdr

Tehran, IRNA - Chief of Staff of Iran's Armed Forces Major General Mohammad Bagheri said on Wednesday that Iran is ready to peacefully resolve the border dispute between Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan. Major General Bagheri held a telephone conversation with the Kyrgyz Defense Minister General Lieutenant Baktybek Bekbolotov and discussed significant issues in the region on Wednesday. Referring to the particular attention of the 13th government in Iran in promoting cooperation with neighboring states and the Central Asian region, Major General Bagheri said that given the balanced and good relations between Iran and Kyrgyzstan, the Armed Forces of the Islamic Republic of Iran is ready to develop defense cooperation in various educational, operational and intelligence aspects with Kyrgyzstan. Thanking the Kyrgyz government's positive vote for Iran on joining the Shanghai Treaty, Major General Bagheri highlighted that given the border disputes between Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan in September, the Islamic Republic of Iran has always stated its readiness for any assistance in peaceful resolution and prevention of any conflict. Pointing to the issue of sending Iranian drones to Tajikistan, he underlined that “Ababil 2” drones have only reconnaissance capability and are not equipped with weapons and offensive equipment, added that the Iranian Armed Forces have always emphasized the Tajik Armed Forces should not use "Ababil 2" drones in the border disputes against Tajikistan. General Lieutenant Baktybek Bekbolotov, for his part, stated that political relations between the Islamic Republic of Iran and the Kyrgyz Republic are based on bilateral relations and trust, adding that the Armed Forces of the Republic of Kyrgyzstan is ready to develop cooperation with the Armed Forces of the Islamic Republic of Iran. Follow us on Twitter @IrnaEnglish