Disputed areas on the Kyrgyz-Tajik border are a problematic issue for Kyrgyzstan, President Sadyr Zhaparov said on Thursday in an address to the nation in Bishkek on the occasion of the anniversary of the conflict on the border with Tajikistan.
"Issues related to the disputed areas on the Kyrgyz-Tajik state border are still problematic. Their resolution requires us to be accurate, tolerant and consistent," he said.
According to him, recent events in the world have shown that "border issues with neighboring countries need to be resolved only through peaceful dialogue and mutual respect." "The president of the neighboring state [Emomali Rahmon] also noted recently during his visit to Sughd province that he was interested in solving border issues with the Kyrgyz side only through peaceful negotiations," the Kyrgyz head of state recalled.
He also assured that currently the bilateral interstate commission continues its work and tries to reach an agreement on the disputed sections of the state border. "Certain progress has been achieved," underlined the President. At the same time, he added that Kyrgyzstan respects "the interests and integrity of the neighboring state." "At the same time, we will not give in to provocative actions and will prevent possible negative phenomena on the state border, showing restraint and strengthening national security," he stated.
On April 28-30, 2021, there was an armed conflict between soldiers of the two countries on the border of Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan. On the Kyrgyz side, 36 people were killed and 173 were injured.
The Tajikistan-Kyrgyzstan border is nearly 980 km long, with dozens of disputed sections left after the collapse of the Soviet Union. At present, about 600 km have already been described in the process of delimitation and demarcation of the border. In some sections, disputes and conflicts between local residents of the border areas periodically arise.
GSV "Russia - Islamic world"
Photo: official website of the President of the Russian Federation
Based on materials from TASS