The preparation for the signing of the Agreement on the demarcation of the state border between Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan is in its final stages.  Kaktus.media says Kamchybek Tashiyev, the head of Kyrgyzstan’s State Committee for National Security (GKNB),  of Kyrgyzstan, stated this during the ceremony for the start of construction of a new stadium in Batken on February 26.

He noted that the draft agreement has already been submitted for review to the Jogorku Kenesh (Kyrgyzstan’s parliament) committee, and the completion of all legal procedures will take about one month.

“We have resolved the border issue with Tajikistan.  On February 27, the relevant committee of the Jogorku Kenesh will consider the draft agreement, after which the document will be sent for signing by the presidents of the two countries, and then it will be presented to the Jogorku Kenesh for ratification.  After these procedures, the presidents will sign the agreement, and it will come into force. There is about one month of work remaining,” Tashiyev said.

It should be noted that co-chaired by the chief security officers of both countries, Saymumin Yatimov (Tajikistan) and Kamchybek Tashiyev (Kyrgyzstan), a meeting took place in Kyrgyzstan’s capital, Bishkek, on February 21.  During the meeting, the parties reportedly initialed drafts of several bilateral documents:

• The Agreement on the Tajik-Kyrgyz State Border;
• The Agreement on the construction and use of highways, the construction and use of road intersections;
• The Agreement between the governments on ensuring access to water and energy facilities.

The documents have been prepared for signing by the presidents of Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan.  Kamchybek Tashiyev emphasized that they have historical significance for the citizens of both countries.  Saymumin Yatimov, in turn, called the Agreement on the Tajik-Kyrgyz State Border a key historical step that will end the long-standing dispute between Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan over border issues.