Sughd Governor Rajabboy Ahmadzoda is receiving Omurbek Suvannaliyev, an Authorized Representative of Kyrgyz President in Batken Region, on March 15, source within the Sughd administration told Asia-Plus in an interview.
The parties will discuss the possibility of reopening the Kulundu and Kairagach Border Crossing Points (BCPs) along Tajikistan’s common border with Kyrgyzstan that were closed by the Kyrgyz government on May 20 last year due to the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) crisis.
The source further noted that the final decision on this issue will be taken during the next meeting of the Tajik-Kyrgyz commission for delimitation and demarcation of the mutual border that will take place in the Tajik northern city of Guliston tomorrow.
Most likely, the border crossing points will be reopened during the celebration of the Navrouz festival, the source added.
It is to be noted that many border areas in Central Asia have been disputed since the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991. The situation is particularly complicated near the numerous exclaves in the Ferghana Valley, where the borders of Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, and Kyrgyzstan meet.
The border of Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan has been the scene of unrest repeatedly since the collapse of the former Soviet Union.
Border talks between Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan began in 2002. The countries share 976 kilometers of border – of which only 504 kilometers has reportedly been properly delineated.
In 2019 alone, there were at least fourteen cases of violence, in which six Tajik nationals and one Kyrgyz citizen were killed and more than 60 other people were injured.
Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan renewed interest in border delimitation suggests that the governments want to dedicate more attention and resources to the communities living in the Ferghana Valley.
