The border between the two countries is now a symbol of eternal friendship.

On March 13, the presidents of Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan signed a border demarcation agreement, opening up an opportunity to end the long-standing territorial dispute between the two Central Asian countries.

Kyrgyzstan President Sadyr Japarov (right) and his Tajik counterpart Emomali Rakhmon at the signing ceremony of the border demarcation agreement on March 13 in Bishkek. (Source: Kabar)

According to Xinhua , Kyrgyzstan President Sadyr Japarov and Tajikistan President Emomali Rakhmon signed a border demarcation agreement in the capital Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan. This is considered an important step forward in bilateral relations, after conflicts in the fall of 2022 that killed dozens of people.

Kyrgyzstan President Sadyr Japarov affirmed: "From now on, the border between the two countries will be the border of eternal friendship."

He stressed that this agreement will contribute to strengthening security, maintaining stability and promoting sustainable development not only for Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan but also for the entire Central Asian region.

Tajik President Emomali Rahmon called the agreement "historic" and expressed confidence that the outcome of the negotiations will take bilateral relations to a new level, serving the common interests of the two peoples. He stressed that the signing of the agreement will lay a solid foundation for further strengthening bilateral relations.

Under the agreement, the two countries agreed to resume direct flights and reopen the border, which has been closed since May 2021, nearly four years.

The leaders of the two countries announced that they would resume direct flights and reopen the border, which had been closed since May 2021.

The agreement also includes a territorial exchange, under which Kyrgyzstan will receive about 25 km² from Tajikistan in exchange for an equivalent area or better access to shared water resources.

In addition, the two sides agreed to establish a number of routes as neutral zones, and pledged not to hinder the use of agricultural and energy facilities in the border area.

Last December, the two countries announced that they had reached an agreement on border demarcation after a meeting in the city of Batken, near the Tajikistan border, opening the door to ending a three-decade border dispute between Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan.

In recent years, relations between the five former Soviet Central Asian countries – Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan – have improved.

These countries gradually reached agreements on border demarcation, aiming to facilitate trade and strengthen stability in the region, which is strategically located and rich in resources.

The Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) – which includes China, most Central Asian countries, Iran, India and Russia – has welcomed the pact between Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan.

Source: https://baoquocte.vn/khep-lai-qua-khu-kyrgyzstan-tajikistan-ky-thoa-thuan-lich-su-bien-gioi-hai-nuoc-tu-nay-la-bieu-tuong-cua-tinh-ban-vinh-cuu-307507.html