Prime ministers of three Central Asian states to hold talks on border agreements

On January 8, a high-level meeting will be held between the heads of government of Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan at the point where their borders converge.

According to the press service of the Kyrgyz Cabinet of Ministers, the topic of the meeting is to determine the common border sections, Caliber.Az reports via foreign news sources.

"Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers, Head of the Presidential Administration of the Kyrgyz Republic, Adylbek Kasymaliev, will meet on January 8 of this year with the Prime Minister of the Republic of Uzbekistan, Abdulla Aripov, and the Prime Minister of the Republic of Tajikistan, Kokhir Rasulzoda. The trilateral meeting will take place at the point where the state borders of Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, and Tajikistan intersect," the statement says.

The press service notes that "negotiations will be held concerning the agreements previously reached between the presidents of Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, and Tajikistan on matters related to state borders."

Notably, Kyrgyzstan borders China, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan. All border disputes with China and Kazakhstan were resolved several years ago. But among Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan, there are still unresolved border issues.

In general, Central Asia's border disputes have been sources of tension and conflict. These disputes often stem from complex historical legacies, including Soviet-era border demarcations and the strategic importance of water resources.

The border between Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan has been a focal point of clashes, notably in 2021 and 2022. In April 2021, a water dispute escalated into armed conflict, resulting in at least 45 fatalities. Despite these challenges, there has been progress in border delimitation. In February 2024, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan agreed on 90% of their 980-kilometre border, resolving an additional 3.71 kilometres of contested territory.

Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan have made significant strides in resolving their long-standing border disputes, with a landmark border demarcation agreement signed in January 2023. This deal effectively addresses complex territorial issues that have hindered relations for decades. The resolution includes the status of enclaves, such as the Barak enclave, a 208-hectare area of Kyrgyz land completely surrounded by Uzbekistan. Under the agreement, Barak was transferred to Uzbekistan, while Kyrgyzstan gained an equivalent area of land from Uzbekistan's Andijan Province.

In addition to the enclave issues, the agreement successfully delineates about 85% of the 1,378-kilometer shared border, resolving territorial disputes over strategic locations including the Kempir-Abad (Andijan) Reservoir, the Gavasai region in Jalal-Abad, and the Sokh enclave in Batken. As part of the agreement, both nations will jointly manage shared resources, such as the Andijan Reservoir, to ensure fair access and utilization, further contributing to regional stability and reinforcing their growing bilateral relations. However, the remaining 15% of the border, particularly in areas with complex geography and historical claims, could still pose challenges.

By Khagan Isayev