Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan agree on demarcation of 38 km of border

By Burc Eruygur

ISTANBUL (AA) - Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan on Tuesday agreed on the demarcation of 38 kilometers (23.6 miles) of their border.

A statement by the Kyrgyz Cabinet of Ministers said that working groups from both countries held a regular meeting on the delimitation and demarcation of their state border on Jan. 10-16.

“At this meeting, topographic working groups agreed on 38.35 km of the Kyrgyz-Tajik state border,” the statement said.

“Following the meeting, a corresponding protocol was signed. The meeting took place in an atmosphere of friendship and mutual understanding,” it said.

The statement further said that both sides will continue to work on defining the remaining areas at the next meeting, which it stated will take place in Tajikistan.

Tensions have been present between Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan, primarily stemming from a border dispute, as well as matters related to irrigation, smuggling and illegal border crossings.

This dispute has led to clashes between both countries, the latest of which broke out at a disputed section of their border in the Batken region on Sept. 14, 2022.

Last month, the co-chairmen of the Kyrgyz-Tajik border commission said that both countries defined more than 90% of their border.