Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan have successfully concluded a long-awaited border demarcation agreement, bringing an end to a 19-year process. The agreement officially came into force on July 4, marking a significant milestone in the relationship between the two countries. Aibek Smadiyarov, spokesperson for the Kazakh Foreign Ministry, made the announcement during a press briefing on July 10.
The arduous task of reaching a border demarcation deal required an impressive 100 rounds of negotiations within the Joint Kazakh-Uzbek Demarcation Commission. The agreement itself had been signed by the presidents of both nations in the previous year, paving the way for the finalization of the process.
Stretching over a distance of 2,357 kilometers, the newly demarcated border line is now clearly designated with the placement of 1,301 border markers. The precise details of the demarcation are recorded in comprehensive demarcation documents spanning over 8,000 pages, as highlighted by Smadiyarov.
The successful implementation of this border demarcation agreement is expected to have several positive effects. Firstly, it will contribute to enhancing security and stability along the state border shared by Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan. Additionally, it will facilitate deeper bilateral, interregional, and border cooperation between the two nations. Furthermore, this achievement signifies the completion of the legal registration of Kazakhstan's southern state border.
The process of demarcating the border between Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan began in the early 2000s. By 2001, 96% of the state border had been defined. However, three sections remained subject to dispute: the Bagyzh village in Kazakhstan's Turkistan region, the former village of Arnasai, and the Uzbek village of Nsan with adjacent territories. While the delimitation of the borders was concluded in September 2002, it took until the signing of the agreement in 2022 to finally resolve the outstanding issues.
The border demarcation agreement between Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan signifies a significant achievement for both nations. It not only solidifies the territorial boundaries between the two countries but also paves the way for enhanced cooperation and mutual understanding.
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