Kyrgyz president ratifies border deal with Tajikistan

ISTANBUL

Kyrgyz President Sadyr Japarov ratified a border deal Tuesday between his country and neighboring Tajikistan, resolving a longstanding dispute between the two Central Asian countries which had been a source of conflict in recent years.

The bill was signed by Japarov into law, according to a statement by the Kyrgyz presidency.

Noting that the bill was adopted by Kyrgyzstan's parliament in three readings last Wednesday, the statement said the creation of a legal and regulatory framework between the two countries aims to ensure stability and security as well as create favorable conditions for Kyrgyz and Tajik citizens, especially along the border regions.

It added that this will also contribute to further effective socio-economic and humanitarian cooperation between the two countries.

On March 13, Japarov and his Tajik counterpart Emomali Rahmon signed an agreement on the state border in the Kyrgyz capital Bishkek.

The nearly 1,000-kilometer (621-mile) Kyrgyzstan-Tajikistan border has been a recurring flashpoint for conflict, with the most severe clashes seen in 2021 and 2022.

In 2021, three days of fighting claimed the lives of 36 Kyrgyz citizens and 19 Tajik citizens.

In September 2022, two days of clashes left at least 100 people dead and forced the evacuation of around 140,000 people.