The CSTO Secretariat is seriously concerned and worried about the clashes—with the use of heavy weapons—on the Kyrgyzstan-Tajikistan border on September 14-16, as a result of which there are casualties and wounded, as well as destruction of civil infrastructure on both sides. This is noted in a CSTO statement released Saturday.

"We welcome the ceasefire and the started negotiations between the border services of Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan. We are confident that mutually acceptable ways will be found to solve this difficult border problem, reduce tension, and prevent the escalation of the conflict. We consider the use of force unacceptable. Only political and diplomatic methods should be used to settle disputes.

The CSTO Secretariat is closely monitoring the situation, and hopes that the ceasefire established now will be long-term and stable. The conflict must be resolved solely at the negotiating table in a peaceful way; it is no longer possible to allow people to die," the CSTO statement also reads.

Large-scale clashes on the border between Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan began on Friday morning. The parties accused each other of shelling. Later, the border guard service of Kyrgyzstan announced that the heads of the special services of the two countries agreed on a ceasefire. In the evening, however, the Kyrgyz border guard service announced the violation of the ceasefire by the Tajik military.

Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan are CSTO members—just like Armenia.