Meeting of the working groups of Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan on the implementation of Protocol No. 42 of September 25, 2022 took place in Guliston, the Tajik northern province of Sughd, on April 15, Tajikistan’s state-run news agency Khovar reported on April 19.
The meeting participants reportedly included Colonel-General Rajabali Rahmonali, the Commander of Border Troops at the State Committee for National Security of Tajikistan (SCNS), Major-General Ularbek Sharsheyev, the Director of the Border Service at the State Committee for National Security of Kyrgyzstan (GKNB), Rajabboy Ahmadzoda, the Governor of Tajikistan’s Sughd Province, Abdikarim Alimbayev, the Plenipotentiary Representative of the Kyrgyz President to Kyrgyzstan’s Batken Region, and senior representatives of the law enforcement agencies of the two countries.
The parties reportedly discussed issues related to implementation of the protocol on stabilizing the situation in the border areas of the two countries, as well as coordination of joint activities in the field of controlling the Kyrgyz-Tajik state border.
They noted the active dynamics of expansion of cooperation between the two countries in ensuring border security, as well as the high level of bilateral dialogue achieved recently.
The parties reportedly expressed confidence that a constructive and mutually beneficial partnership between the two countries meets the long-term interests of the peoples of the two nations, and is also a key factor in ensuring peace, stability and security of the countries.
Kyrgyzstan’s 24.kg reports that the parties also exchanged views on the issue of implementation of the protocols of working meetings of the heads of border services. In this context, they confirmed their commitments to achieve progress in the implementation of the agreements reached.
The meeting reportedly ended with signing of a corresponding protocol.
Recall, Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan have reportedly agreed upon 90 percent of previously contested territory. In a report released at a news conference in Dushanbe, the head of the State Committee of Land Management and Geodesy of Tajikistan Orif Khojazoda, who is also chairman of the Tajik topographic working group, noted on February 8, 2024 that the parties have agreed on delimitation of 889.45 kilometers of their shared border to date.
Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan has announced that an agreement addressing the long-standing border dispute between Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan is set to be signed in March this year. The announcement followed discussions between Fidan and Tajikistan President Emomali Rahmon in Dushanbe on January 10. The Turkish top diplomat’s visit to Kyrgyzstan the day prior reportedly also featured discussions on the impending agreement.
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.
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