Border Delimitation Between Bishkek and Dushanbe 'Completed'

Kyrgyz President Sadyr Japarov announced that Bishkek and Dushanbe have resolved disputed border sections, and border checkpoints are set to open once the intergovernmental commission completes its work, The Caspian Post reports citing Interfax International.

"We have managed to come to terms on the disputable sections. The long-disputed territories were divided equally. Some areas were swapped on equal terms," Japarov said in an interview with the Kabar news agency.

While delimiting the border between two countries, it is impossible to give preference to only one side, as the principle of equality and consideration of the interests of both sides must be observed, he said.

"After the bilateral intergovernmental commission finalizes its work and the documents are signed, the foreign ministers will also put their signatures and the documents will be submitted to both parliaments for ratification. In the end, they will be signed by us, the presidents. This is how the process will end. There will be no more questions about the border with Central Asian states. We have finalized the border delimitation with other neighbors. The rest of Central Asian states completed their delimitation processes, as well," Japarov said.

Checkpoints at the border with Tajikistan will open as soon as the intergovernmental commission finalizes its work. "Border checkpoints have been closed for three years, which has led to economic losses on both sides. Trade and economic relations were suspended. Now our goal is to open border checkpoints and bring trade between our states to the highest level," Japarov said.

Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan finalized the delimitation of the remaining border sections. The border between Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan is 987.6-kilometers-long.