President of Uzbekistan Played Key Role in Resolving Kyrgyz-Tajik Border Dispute — Film on Sadyr Japarov

Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) — In the documentary film “President,” Kyrgyz President Sadyr Japarov highlighted major diplomatic processes in Central Asia, emphasizing the pivotal role of Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev in resolving the long-standing border dispute between Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan.

According to Japarov, Mirziyoyev actively encouraged the leaders of the neighboring countries to engage in direct negotiations, warning of potential escalation and threats to regional security. “The President of Uzbekistan stressed that these issues must be resolved here and now, or the opportunity for dialogue could be lost,” Japarov noted.

Initially, Kyrgyz proposals to discuss the dispute were rejected at early summits and meetings with the Tajik side. Only in subsequent talks did Tajikistan agree to dialogue. Japarov emphasized that Mirziyoyev’s guidance was decisive in achieving the agreement.

The film also notes that Kyrgyz Foreign Minister Jeenbek Kulubaev repeatedly highlighted that Mirziyoyev’s position was critically important for regional stability: “Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan must reach consensus. If the conflict persists, it deters investors and tourists.”

The documentary sheds light on internal difficulties during negotiations. Kamchybek Tashiev, Chairman of the State Committee for National Security of Kyrgyzstan, recalled that conflicts sometimes arose during discussions, with negotiators leaving the room. Only the intervention of the two presidents enabled the parties to return to the table and finalize the agreements.

As a result, the 1,378-kilometer Kyrgyz-Uzbek border, much of which remained disputed until 2017, was finally resolved with the active participation of the Uzbek president. In January 2023, in Bishkek, Presidents Mirziyoyev and Japarov exchanged ratification documents, formalizing the agreements reached.

Uzbek presidential advisor Javlon Vakhobov emphasized that the successful resolution of the conflict positively impacted regional security and reduced clashes in border areas. “This is a historic process in which both leaders played a key role,” Vakhobov noted.