A meeting of representatives of Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan has been held in Kyrgyzstan’s district of Batken to discuss ways to prevent carrying out various activities in non-approved territories, Kyrgyzstan’s Turmush news agency reported on August 7.
The Kyrgyz delegation was reportedly led by Taalaibek Ibraimov, the first deputy akim (head) of the Batken district, and the Tajik delegation was led by Bahovaddin Bahodourzoda, the head of the Isfara district.
The meeting has reportedly taken place in an area at the border the Kyrgyz village of Orto-Boz and the Tajik village of Khojai Alo.
According to Turmush, the parties, in particular, discussed issues related to using drinking water coming from the Tajik exclave of Vorukh to Ak-Sai, Al-Tatyr and Samarkandek ayl aimaks in the Batken district.
They reportedly also discussed issues regarding coordinated execution of all work in border areas, maintenance of public order, use of irrigation water, as well as the prevention of construction and other types of activities in the non-approved territories without discussion by both parties.
In a report released at news conference in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan's Foreign Minister Jeenbek Kulubayev said on August 5 that the negotiations on the Kyrgyz-Tajik border are nearing completion. “There are a few remaining points currently being agreed upon,” he stated. “…I think we will complete this in the near future, within the next two to three months," the top Kyrgyz diplomat said.
The Kyrgyz foreign minister also mentioned an issue related to transit transportation aimed at facilitating travel for citizens of Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan.
The long-standing border dispute between Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan has poisoned relations between the two Central Asian nations since the dissolution of the Soviet Union, leading to frequent clashes along the common border in recent years.
It is to be noted that many border areas in Central Asia have been disputed since the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991. The situation is particularly complicated near the numerous exclaves in the Fergana Valley, where the borders of Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, and Kyrgyzstan meet.
The border of Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan has been the scene of unrest repeatedly since the collapse of the former Soviet Union. Border talks between Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan began in 2002. The countries share 972 kilometers of border and unresolved border issues have led to tensions for the past 30 years.
Tensions between Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan have remained high until recently, owing to a border dispute, as well as other issues involving irrigation, smuggling, and illegal border crossings.
This dispute has led to clashes between the two countries. Kyrgyzstan unilaterally closed the border with Tajikistan in spring 2021 after an armed conflict along a disputed segment of the border left 36 Kyrgyz nationals, including two children.
During fierce armed confrontations, a lot of schools, mosques were destroyed in addition to the houses of civilians; administrative buildings were also attacked by fire.
When the border closed, official trade turnover plummeted to nothing. Smugglers continued to ply their wares across the border, however.