The Presidents, Sadyr Japarov and Emomali Rahmon, discussed border delimitation and demarcation issues between the two countries in Bishkek.
They also "discussed current issues of Kyrgyz-Tajik bilateral cooperation, a wide range of topics, including issues related to the delimitation and demarcation of the Kyrgyz-Tajik state border," the press service of the President of Kyrgyzstan reports.
The negotiations took place within the framework of the CIS Heads of State meeting, which was held on October 12-13, 2023, with Kyrgyzstan presiding.
"The heads of states emphasized the importance of continuing regular political dialogue to strengthen neighborly relations between the two countries and peoples, expressing readiness for open and comprehensive discussions on all aspects of bilateral cooperation," said Japarov's press service.
The President of Tajikistan arrived in Bishkek to participate in the regular CIS summit. As reported by the Tajik leader's press service, Rahmon in the meeting "emphasized the importance of further developing the age-old bonds of friendship and neighborliness between the peoples of Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan." The heads of states also positively assessed the work of governmental delegations on the delimitation and demarcation of the state border and agreed to continue the high-level political dialogue.
The length of the state border between Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan is approximately 980 km. Delimitation negotiations have been ongoing since December 2022. Currently, more than two-thirds of the border line's path has been determined and mutually recognized by both countries, while the remaining sections are considered disputed. The unresolved issue has led to conflicts involving local residents and military personnel from both republics, including the use of firearms. The most recent border delimitation meeting between representatives of the two countries took place in early October, during which governmental delegations agreed on over 43 km of the border and signed a protocol.
The protocol was signed shortly after the Chairman of the State Committee for National Security (GKNB) of Kyrgyzstan, Kamchybek Tashiev, made a sudden statement regarding the presence of new documents from the Kyrgyz side concerning territories that had not been previously mentioned in the negotiations. According to Tashiev, he was compelled to make this statement in response to territorial claims from the other side.
CentralasianLIGHT.org
October 13, 2023