Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan have completed a significant territorial exchange as part of the ongoing demarcation of their state border, resulting in two villages and their residents becoming part of Kyrgyzstan.

Kyrgyz presidential spokesman Askat Alagozov said that the villages of Chongara and Tash-Tobo, previously located in Uzbekistan’s Fergana region, have officially been transferred to Kyrgyz jurisdiction. The settlements are home to around 2,500 people, most of whom are ethnic Kyrgyz, The Caspian Post reports via AKIPress.

Following the completion of registration procedures, residents will receive Kyrgyz citizenship documents and be fully integrated into the country’s administrative system.

In return, Kyrgyzstan transferred border land plots of equivalent size to Uzbekistan, totaling 236 hectares.

The land swap will pave the way for the construction of a new road linking the villages of Sai and Tayan. The project is expected to dramatically improve regional connectivity, reducing the travel distance between Aidarken and Batken from 225 kilometers to approximately 55 kilometers.

Earlier, Kyrgyzstan also proposed a border land exchange with Kazakhstan as part of its broader efforts to improve cross-border infrastructure and connectivity.