Kyrgyzstan’s parliament on Wednesday ratified a border agreement with neighboring Tajikistan, marking a significant step toward resolving a long-standing territorial dispute that has fueled violent clashes in recent years. The agreement, signed by Kyrgyz President Sadyr Japarov and Tajik President Emomali Rahmon, is expected to foster stability and cooperation between the two Central Asian nations.
The bill, along with two related agreements, was swiftly approved in three readings by Kyrgyzstan’s Supreme Council after receiving backing from multiple parliamentary committees. Speaker Turgunbek uluu Nurlanbek emphasized that the settlement would “strengthen the centuries-old friendship” between the two nations and help prevent future conflicts. The agreement is also seen as a means to enhance political, economic, cultural, and humanitarian ties between Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan.
The nearly 1,000-kilometer Kyrgyz-Tajik border has been a flashpoint for violence, with deadly clashes in 2021 and 2022 resulting in hundreds of casualties and mass displacement. The ratification of the border deal signals a crucial diplomatic breakthrough, potentially bringing lasting peace to the region.
