Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan are set to hold border talks in Dushanbe today.
The two central Asian countries have been locked in a longstanding border dispute along the poorly defined Kyrgz-Tajik border. Both sides have claimed ownership over various territories since independence from the Soviet Union in 1991. Ongoing border clashes trouble the two countries, with the most recent escalation occurring in September 2022.
Today’s talks mark continued efforts by the two to find a permanent solution, with the most recent meeting between groups from Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan taking place in Bishkek on February 3-9. Kyrgyz President Sadyr Japarov said in November last year that he expects all border delimitations with Tajikistan to be completed by May 2023.
Expect the talks to continue previous discussions on working out a final deal. Whilst authorities are closer to reaching a solution, given the history of violent clashes, a deal will not be easy. The two are more likely to settle on a cease-fire than a border deal, indicating that it is unlikely that delimitations will be completed by May.
Source : ForeignBrief
