Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan Finalize Border Agreement, Tashiyev Says

Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan have reached an agreement on the delimitation of their state border, with the ratification process set to be completed within a month. The decision follows negotiations between the two countries’ governmental delegations, culminating in the signing of a border agreement on February 21 in Bishkek.

At a joint committee meeting of the Jogorku Kenesh on February 27, Chairman of the State Committee for National Security Kamchybek Tashiev provided updates on the border negotiations, particularly regarding the Vorukh enclave. He noted that since 1991, the Tajik side had been using 19 hectares of land outside the enclave. Through negotiations, this area has now been reduced to 14.5 hectares.

Land swaps and strategic gains

As part of the agreement, Kyrgyzstan transferred 1,000 hectares of pasture near Vorukh in exchange for an equivalent area in the Karagandy-Sai region of Chon-Alay district. Tajikistan initially requested an additional 5,000 hectares due to population growth in the enclave, but Kyrgyzstan rejected the request.

Additionally, Kyrgyzstan exchanged several land plots with Tajikistan. A total of 141.9 hectares from Kyrgyzstan, including areas in the villages of Dostuk in Batken district, Mozaity (8.3 hectares), Kok-Terek (17.5 hectares), Tash-Tumshuk (20.1 hectares), and the Dacha area (5 hectares), were transferred to Tajikistan.

In return, Kyrgyzstan received 142.7 hectares, including the village of Samoniyon in Isfara district (18.4 hectares), Dakhma (3.1 hectares), part of Khojai Allo village (21.5 hectares), Gavsuwar (2.7 hectares), Min-Bulak (42 hectares with a garden), and part of Lakkon (55 hectares).

Tashiev also noted that Kyrgyzstan had agreed to transfer a remote village to Tajikistan, as it had no economic or strategic significance. However, since Kyrgyzstan had developed the village from scratch, including constructing new houses and a border outpost, the country received 30 hectares of land as compensation.

Beyond borders

In addition to the border agreement, both countries signed documents covering energy infrastructure, water resources, and the use of cross-border roads, including plans for new road construction. The full text of the agreement has not yet been made public.