Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan agree on demarcation of 47 km of border

By Burc Eruygur

ISTANBUL (AA) - Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan on Thursday agreed on the demarcation of 47 kilometers (29.2 miles) of their border.

A statement by the Kyrgyz Cabinet of Ministers said that delegations from the governments of both countries had been meeting since Friday in the city of Batken in southwestern Kyrgyzstan.

“The parties will continue to work on describing the remaining areas at the next meeting, which will take place on the territory of the Republic of Tajikistan,” the statement further said.

The statement also said that a corresponding protocol was signed by both sides following the meeting, adding that talks took place in “an atmosphere of friendship and mutual understanding.”

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 last year.

While 503 kilometers (313 miles) of the 970-kilometer (603 miles) border are well defined, the Kyrgyz and Tajik governments have not yet resolved their border dispute.