Tajik Foreign Minister cooperating with Taliban to prevent border tensions

Tajikistan's Foreign Minister Sirajuddin Mehruddin stated that Dushanbe cooperates with the Taliban administration within the framework of its national interests.

"We believe that every independent country has the right to pursue its policy according to its national interests," he said. "In this framework, it must be emphasized that many countries, especially those neighboring Afghanistan, have adjusted their cooperation with this neighboring country based on their national interests."

Mehruddin announced an increase in trade between the two countries, with the total value of economic exchanges reaching more than $110 million last year. He urged the international community, given Afghanistan's complex social and economic situation, not to leave the country alone with its numerous problems.

Tajikistan's position on Afghanistan remains firm, he said: "We want to see Afghanistan as a secure, stable, peaceful, and prosperous country."

Addressing recent armed attacks along the border with Afghanistan over the past two months, Mehruddin said security and law enforcement institutions of both countries are working jointly to prevent similar incidents. The Taliban has assured that it will take necessary measures to prevent repetition of such events and conduct comprehensive investigations, he added.

Recently, Tajik security forces prevented the illegal entry of five Afghan smugglers. Following an armed clash, three were killed and two fled to Afghanistan.

Earlier attacks from Afghan soil on November 26 and 30 last year targeted Tajik border areas, killing five Chinese citizens and wounding five others. Tajikistan strongly condemned those incidents and demanded the Taliban arrest the perpetrators.