On September 16, the Tajikistan government extended an invitation to the Ambassador of Kyrgyzstan, Erlan Abdildayev, for discussions at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs regarding statements made by a Kyrgyz official concerning shared border issues.
During the meeting, Tajikistan expressed its concerns regarding remarks made by a "high-ranking Kyrgyz official" on September 15 in the public domain, addressing issues related to the Tajik-Kyrgyz border. The diplomatic department's press service noted that such comments significantly hinder the progress of negotiations concerning the delimitation and demarcation of the Tajik-Kyrgyz border, fostering mutual distrust.
Although the Ministry of Foreign Affairs did not specify the identity of the "high-ranking official," it is likely referring to Kyrgyzstan's Deputy Prime Minister and Chairman of the State Committee for National Security, Kamchibek Tashiyev. On September 15, Tashiyev called upon the Tajikistan government to abandon territorial claims.
Tashiyev stated, "We recently discovered new documents indicating that many Kyrgyz lands were transferred to Tajikistan. We can substantiate this claim with historical and legal documents. If the neighboring country does not relinquish its territorial claims, we will respond in kind. We possess the strength and means to do so," as he marked the one-year anniversary of the border conflict that occurred in the Batken region from September 15 to 16, 2022. He attributed the conflicts to unresolved border issues and stated that Kyrgyzstan had been "attacked by a neighboring country."
The Tajikistan-Kyrgyzstan border stretches for 976km, with only 664km delimited and demarcated. Disputed areas often lead to conflicts between residents of both countries over road, water, and land usage. The most recent armed conflict erupted in September 2022, with skirmishes occurring along several sections of the shared border. The clashes, which lasted for several days, resulted in numerous casualties and injuries on both sides. Both republics accused each other of armed aggression.
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