Photo: AFP/Anadolu/Kyrgyzstan Presidency
Eurasia
01/04/2025 16:41
To commemorate this achievement, a "Friendship Stele" has been erected at the meeting point of the three nations’ borders, symbolising the enduring bonds of friendship, good neighbourliness, and mutual understanding among Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, and Tajikistan. This convergence point lies at the intersection of Uzbekistan’s Fergana region, Kyrgyzstan’s Batken region, and Tajikistan’s Isfara district.
Negotiations to define the tri-junction point of Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, and Tajikistan commenced in 2007. A breakthrough occurred on 25 December 2024 during a high-level meeting in St. Petersburg, where agreements were reached to finalise the process. On 8 January 2025, government representatives from all three nations convened at the proposed border juncture to evaluate Uzbekistan's proposal for the Friendship Stele, which was unanimously endorsed.
Border disputes have been a source of tension in Central Asia since the dissolution of the Soviet Union. Establishing clear boundaries is a fundamental aspect of state sovereignty, and for decades, unresolved border demarcations have led to sporadic conflicts and diplomatic rifts.
Negotiations on border delimitation began in 2000, guided by the Alma-Ata Declaration of 21 December 1991, along with bilateral treaties of eternal friendship and historical documents from the 1924-1928 national-territorial delineation period. Early efforts between 2000 and 2002 led to agreements on Uzbekistan’s borders with Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan, and Tajikistan:
However, negotiations concerning certain sections of the Uzbek-Tajik border stalled post-2002, and discussions with Kyrgyzstan (2000-2016) yielded limited results.
A significant shift in regional diplomacy occurred after 2016, under President Shavkat Mirziyoyev’s leadership, prioritising open dialogue and fostering trust with neighbouring countries. The 2017-2021 Uzbekistan Development Strategy explicitly included international border legal formalisation as a key objective.
Key developments in border agreements included:
Uzbekistan’s diplomatic initiatives also played a crucial role in facilitating the resolution of the Kyrgyz-Tajik border dispute. These negotiations, which began in 2002, had long remained unresolved, often resulting in border incidents due to unclear demarcation. However, diplomatic momentum gained traction, leading to the signing of a bilateral border treaty on 13 March 2025, during President Rahmon’s state visit to Kyrgyzstan. Additionally, agreements on water, energy, and transportation infrastructure were concluded.
During the trilateral summit in Khujand, the leaders of Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, and Tajikistan participated in the virtual inauguration of the Friendship Stele at the border junction. The summit also featured discussions in both narrow and expanded formats, aimed at further strengthening regional cooperation.
Cultural events accompanied the summit, showcasing traditional crafts, national cuisine, and folk costumes. A concert featuring performances by artists from all three nations celebrated this historic occasion.
The resolution of one of the region’s most complex territorial disputes marks a new era of cooperation and stability. By overcoming border conflicts, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, and Tajikistan have set a precedent for diplomatic engagement, fostering a framework for deeper economic, political, and cultural ties. This landmark agreement paves the way for enhanced regional stability and shared prosperity, reinforcing Central Asia’s role as a hub of collaboration and mutual development.