Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan sign landmark border agreement

The final protocol on the delimitation of the Kyrgyz-Tajik border was signed in Bishkek by the heads of the national security committees of both countries, Kamchybek Tashiev of Kyrgyzstan and Saimumin Yatimov of Tajikistan.

The border between the two countries stretches over 970 kilometres, with both sides having previously negotiated contentious areas, Caliber.Az reports via foreign media.

Note that, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan have officially completed the demarcation of their 970-kilometre border, resolving the last major territorial dispute between the two Central Asian neighbours.

The agreement, reached on December 4 by the heads of both countries' secret services, is seen as a significant step towards ending years of tensions, including deadly clashes in September 2022 that left around 100 dead.

The demarcated border, which has long been a source of conflict, runs through one of the world's most mountainous regions, with access to water and land proving contentious. The deal follows months of diplomatic efforts, including discussions between Kyrgyz President Sadyr Japarov and Tajik counterpart Emomali Rahmon.

The border dispute, which dates back to Soviet times, had been exacerbated by the lack of original Soviet-era maps. The signing ceremony, held in Batken, Kyrgyzstan, was characterized by an atmosphere of mutual understanding, with both sides pledging to implement the deal and finalize demarcation procedures.

By Aghakazim Guliyev