DUSHANBE, February 25, 2011, Asia-Plus -- Some aspects of bilateral relations between Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan were discussed yesterday in the Kyrgyz capital Bishkek at a meeting of Kyrgyz Vice-Premier Shamil Atakhanov with Tajik Ambassador to Kyrgyzstan Asomuddin Saidov, Kyrgyz news agency, AKIpress, reports.

The sides, in particular, considered issues related to creating favorable conditions for national of both countries while proceeding via border and customs checkpoints.

Tajik diplomat expressed hope the sides will be able to expand cooperation in that area.  “We value our warm and good neighborly relations with Kyrgyzstan and will take efforts to expand them,” Saidov said.

In the course of the talks, Atakhanov briefed Tajik diplomat on priorities of work of Kyrgyz government in the fields of defense, security and public order as well as combating crime and corruption, according to AKIpress.

We will recall that the Tajik and Kyrgyz defense ministers met in the Tajik northern city of Qairoqqum on February 8 to discuss regional security.  Tajik Defense Minister Sherali Khairulloyev met with his Kyrgyz counterpart, Abibilla Kudaiberdiyev, behind closed.

Radio Liberty’s Tajik service reports that in early February, Tajik defense minister also took part at a meeting of Tajik and Kyrgyz border chief in Isfara, another city in northern Tajikistan that borders Kyrgyzstan.

A total length of Tajikistan’s common border with Kyrgyzstan is 971 kilometer and there are several disputable territories on the Tajik-Kyrgyz border.