After years of tension and conflict, Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan have successfully concluded negotiations to demarcate their shared border, resolving one of the longest-standing disputes in Central Asia. The final meeting of the two countries' topographic-legal working groups took place in the town of Batken, Kyrgyzstan, from August 11-17, 2024. The State Committee for National Security of Tajikistan confirmed the completion of these crucial talks. According to the Committee, the meeting was marked by productive discussions and an exchange of proposals regarding the description and demarcation of the remaining sections of the Tajik-Kyrgyz border. This progress follows years of negotiations, which had previously seen 94% of the 980-kilometer border fully delineated by the end of June, as reported by Daryo earlier.
The dispute over the border between Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan dates back to the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991. The dissolution left many borders across Central Asia undefined, leading to uncertainties over the ownership of numerous territories. The border between the two countries particularly has been a point for numerous conflicts due to its lack of clear demarcation, scant natural resources and dwindling water supplies. Over the decades, this unresolved border has been the scene of repeated armed clashes, often involving local populations and border troops from both countries.
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