DUSHANBE (Satrapia) — Tajikistan is negotiating the return of its nationals to the remaining camps in Syria, Tajik Foreign Minister Sirojiddin Muhriddin said.

“According to our figures, there are about 500 Tajik citizens in the Syrian camps. According to information provided by international organizations, there are 212 women and children in Syria who are willing to return to their homeland. In order to determine the actual number of Tajik citizens in Syria, all necessary measures are being taken and negotiations are under way”, Muhriddin said at a press conference in Dushanbe.

He noted that negotiations were under way with the Syrian government, with representatives of the Syrian democratic forces, under whose control there are camps containing militants and accomplices of the terrorist group ISIS. “Our ambassador to Kuwait, who is a visiting ambassador to Syria on behalf of our government, is negotiating with the Syrian side. On this course, we are cooperating with the United Nations Children’s Fund and the International Red Cross Fund, which have also expressed their willingness to assist in the repatriation and rehabilitation of Tajik citizens and their repatriation to Dushanbe’, Muhriddin said.

Asked about the opening of Tajikistan’s interim diplomatic mission in Syria, he replied that it was under consideration. “Nevertheless, as I said, our embassy representatives in Kuwait are visiting Syria and facilitating the return of our citizens. We have received a task in this regard from the country’s highest leadership and we will certainly carry it out”, the minister said.