Japarov and Rahmon Sign Historic Border Agreement

Kyrgyz President Sadyr Japarov and Tajik President Emomali Rahmon have officially signed a historic agreement on the state border, marking the end of a long-standing conflict between their countries, Orda.kz reports.

The Kyrgyz presidential administration confirmed that the treaty was signed on March 13 after nearly 23 years of negotiations. The signing ceremony took place at the state residence of Kyrgyzstan, "Yntymak Ordo," in Bishkek.

The signing of the treaty will contribute to strengthening the security of not only our countries but the entire region,  Japarov stated at a meeting with Rahmon.

He emphasized that the agreement establishes a solid foundation for cooperation and good neighborly relations.

Border and Air Travel Reopened

Immediately after signing the agreement, the two Presidents officially reopened their countries' shared border via video link, which had remained closed since 2021. Along with border checkpoints, air traffic will resume, and bus routes will be restored soon.

The Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) welcomed the treaty, noting that it reflects the commitment of both nations to resolving disputes peacefully and respectfully.

Tensions and Clashes

Relations between Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan have been tense in recent years. 

In September 2022, a violent border conflict resulted in 24 Kyrgyz citizens dead and 124 injured, while Tajikistan reported seven dead and 14 wounded. The clashes led to the evacuation of over 130,000 people from Kyrgyzstan's Batken region.

At the time, Japarov made a strong statement:

Efforts to resolve the issue gained momentum in October 2022: the Presidents of Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Russia met in Astana. Japarov reaffirmed his commitment to resolving the border issue peacefully and stressed the urgency of concluding negotiations.

However, tensions persisted. In 2023, Kyrgyz security chief Kamchybek Tashiev claimed to have found historical documents proving that certain Tajik territories once belonged to Kyrgyzstan, prompting Dushanbe to summon the Kyrgyz ambassador.

Another border incident occurred in May 2024, when Kyrgyz border guards clashed with Tajik shepherds in the Batken region, leaving one Tajik citizen injured.

Nonetheless, in 2025, both nations agreed to settle the border issue permanently. The signing of this treaty marks a turning point in Kyrgyz-Tajik relations, offering hope for long-term peace and stability in the region.

Original Author: Ruslan Loginov