Two Border Villages in Uzbekistan to Become Part of Kyrgyzstan

Uzbekistan has begun formally transferring two border villages to Kyrgyzstan as part of a land swap. A joint working group from the two countries began work on the ground on August 3, Orda.kz reports, citing Kabar.

The villages of Chongara and Tash-Tobo were previously part of Uzbekistan’s Fergana Region. They are home to about 2,500 people, most of them ethnic Kyrgyz, and are being transferred to Kyrgyzstan’s Batken Region.

Residents are now being registered and will receive Kyrgyz citizenship during the next stage. The commission is also addressing resettlement, property and economic issues.

In return, Kyrgyzstan will transfer an equally sized area near the border to Uzbekistan.

Earlier, Orda.kz reported that Bishkek and Tashkent had also exchanged 236 hectares to build a direct road between the villages of Sai and Tayan. The route will shorten the journey from Aidarken to Batken from 225 to 55 kilometers. Kyrgyzstan also proposed exchanging land with Kazakhstan near Tokmok to launch a toll-road project.

Original author: Ruslan Loginov

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