Kyrgyzstan has decided to refrain from the exercises in connection with the recent armed conflict on the Kyrgyz-Tajik border, Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers of Kyrgyzstan Edil Baisalov told. At the same time, he noted that Kyrgyzstan has “absolutely inviolable membership in the CSTO”, RIA Novosti reported.
“We have an absolutely inviolable membership in the CSTO, we have no problems with this organization, with a mandate, with a mission, with a charter – there are none. But, of course, in the light of recent events, the blood has not cooled down. […] The situation has developed in such a way that the public opinion of Kyrgyzstan will not welcome the same elements of the armed units of our Tajik neighbors to be present at these exercises,” Baisalov said.
The deputy head of the Cabinet also added that he was concerned about the “wrong interpretation” of some citizens regarding Kyrgyzstan’s refusal to conduct CSTO exercises.
In his opinion, it is impossible to refuse only the Tajik military. “This does not happen, so we had to cancel participation, and there is absolute understanding in all the capitals of the CSTO. However, we are concerned that this is being misinterpreted and speculation is completely irresponsible about this,” concluded Edil Baisalov.
On October 10, it became known that Kyrgyzstan announced its refusal to conduct CSTO exercises on its territory. The information released by the Ministry of Defense states that “a decision was made to cancel the command and staff exercise with the CSTO peacekeeping forces “Indestructible Brotherhood-2022”, which was scheduled to be held on the territory of the Kyrgyz Republic in October 2022.”
inozPRESS.kg,
Oct. 11, 2022