We have been following with concern the reports of a new escalation along the Afghan-Pakistani border on October 10\u201311. Kabul and Islamabad have provided differing interpretations of the nature of the clashes and the reasons behind the escalation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Exchanges of airstrikes and gunfire have effectively spread across the entire border area, including the Pashtun tribal belt. There have been casualties among military personnel on both sides.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
According to the latest information, the situation is now stabilising. We welcome this development.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
We call on Kabul and Islamabad to exercise restraint and forbearance, and to address any disagreements through political and diplomatic means.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
We look forward to the resumption of constructive dialogue between Afghanistan and Pakistan \u2013 two countries friendly to Russia \u2013 including on counterterrorism and regional security issues.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
We have been following with concern the reports of a new escalation along the Afghan-Pakistani border on October<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":1645,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[31,4,33,9],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1643","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-national","category-newsbeat","category-peace","category-world"],"yoast_head":"\n