As a result of prolonged negotiations, the government delegations of Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan signed 45 protocols, topographic groups – 86, and legal working groups – 25, leading to the full resolution of disputed border sections between the two countries, said Kamchybek Tashiev, Chairman of Kyrgyzstan’s State Committee for National Security (SCNS), speaking before parliament, Economist.kg reports.
He stated that the total length of the Kyrgyz-Tajik border is 1006.84 km. Of this, 519 km were agreed upon before 2011, while the remaining 486 km were settled in the last three years.
Tashiev explained that in 2011, Tajikistan had prepared border agreement documents, but Kyrgyzstan did not sign them as they covered only mountainous areas, leaving disputed sections in populated regions unresolved.
Key outcomes of negotiations
Kyrgyzstan receives 155 hectares in Kairagach and 35 hectares in the enclave of the same name. In exchange, Tajikistan receives 190 hectares, including:
- Saada – 21 ha
- Razzakov – 23.5 ha
- Selkan – 4 ha
- Maity – 7 ha
- Proletarsk – 12.5 ha
- Ak-Aryk – 7 ha
- Ulak-Jai – 15 ha
- Kara-Bak – 65 ha
- Maity – 35 ha (instead of the Kairagach enclave)
"We received 190 hectares from Tajikistan, and they received 190 hectares from us - each plot was exchanged equally," emphasized Tashiev.
Additionally, the "Dostuk" market and the Khujand–Kanibadam/Arka highway were fully transferred to Tajikistan. "We handed over 12 hectares, the middle of the road, and the market, receiving 25 hectares of farmland in Lakkon in return," he explained.
Water intake and strategic land exchanges
The "Golovnoy" water intake in Batken was equally divided: each country retains 1.5 intake valves. Kyrgyzstan also gained 500 hectares in Chon-Alai (Unzhu-Bulak), 100 hectares in Karool-Don (near Suluktu), and 150 hectares in Katta-Tuz.
The Kyrgyz side transferred 141.9 hectares to Tajikistan, including lands in Dostuk, Mazeyit, Kok-Terek, Tash-Tumshuk, and Dacha, receiving 142.2 hectares in Somonien, Dakhma, Khoja-Ailo, Gavsuwar, Min-Bulak, and Lakkon.
Enclave of Vorukh
Tashiev stated that initially, the Tajik side controlled 19,000 hectares, but after negotiations, it retained 14,500 hectares. Kyrgyzstan transferred 1,000 hectares near Vorukh, receiving 1,000 hectares in Karagansai, Chon-Alai.
Transport corridors
Neutral roads will be built to facilitate border crossings:
- Dacha–Kapchygai–Khojalu–Vorukh (3.4 km, 40 m wide)
- Min-Oruk–Samarkandek–Ariyon–Shuriston (3.2 km, 40 m wide)
The 253-meter Tort-Kocho road section along the Osh–Razzakov and Isfara–Vorukh highways will also have neutral status.
Tashiev highlighted that negotiations on the Tort-Kocho bridge took six months, as it was built by Kyrgyzstan but located on land transferred to Tajikistan.
Additionally, the Min-Oruk–Samarkandek road (3.3 km) will be built by Kyrgyzstan, while the Dacha–Kapchygai road will be constructed by Tajikistan. The Kulundu–Maksat road remains under Kyrgyz control and will be renovated.
Water resources
Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan agreed to allow mutual access for specialists to work on water infrastructure, even if located in the other country.
Concluding his speech, Tashiev emphasized that the negotiations were complex but conducted on principles of mutual agreement. "All issues have been resolved. The final agreement is based on equality and will help prevent future conflicts," he said.
CentralasianLIGHT.org
February 27, 2025