A regular meeting of the topographic working groups of the Tajik and Kyrgyz governmental delegations on the delimitation and demarcation of the disputed segments of the mutual border took place in Batken, Kyrgyzstan from December 1 to December 6.
The Tajik MFA information department says the parties have delimited 17.66 kilometers of the disputed segment of the mutual border.
The information department does not specify in which territory the border line has been delimited.
In order to continue the work, the parties agreed on a schedule of meetings for 2023, Tajik foreign ministry notes.
The parties reportedly agreed to hold the next meeting in the territory of Tajikistan. It doesn't say when the meeting will be.
Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan have not yet resolved the border delineation problem. 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 Fergana Valley, where the borders of Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, and Kyrgyzstan meet.
The border of Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan has been the scene of unrest repeatedly since the collapse of the former Soviet Union.
In the latest border clashes between Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan that occurred on September 14-17, both sides reportedly lost over 100 people both military population and ordinary citizens. During fierce armed confrontations, a lot of schools, mosques were destroyed in addition to the houses of civilians; administrative buildings were also attacked by fire.
The latest armed confrontation was the worst since April 2021, when over 50 citizens of both nations died during the armed hostilities.
Border talks between Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan began in 2002. The countries share 976 kilometers of border – of which about 600 kilometers have reportedly been properly delineated, leading to tensions for the past 30 years.
To-date, Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan have reportedly held more than 170 meetings and negotiations on delimitation and demarcation of the common border.
Kyrgyz President Sadyr Japarov said in an exclusive interview with Kabar news agency on April 25 that “the parties have agreed on 600 kilometers [of the mutual border] and they have another 300 kilometers left to delimit and demarcate.”
