In a notable development for Central Asia, the presidents of Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, and Uzbekistan convened in Khujand, Tajikistan's second-largest city, on March 31 to sign a treaty delineating their national borders.

The agreement was formalized during a trilateral meeting attended by Tajik President Emomali Rahmon, Kyrgyz President Sadyr Japarov, and Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev.

President Rahmon described the signing of the treaty as a 'highly symbolic' event, emphasizing its importance for fostering good relations between the three nations.

He articulated Tajikistan's commitment to strengthening ties with Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan, based on mutual respect and the consideration of each country's interests.

The leaders addressed various aspects of regional cooperation, highlighting the necessity of enhancing neighborly relations, advancing collaborative infrastructure and economic projects, and promoting tourism across the region.

President Japarov remarked on the progress of regional integration and stressed that improved cooperation will play a crucial role in achieving sustainable development and prosperity for Central Asia.

During the meeting, President Mirziyoyev congratulated his counterparts on successfully resolving long-standing border issues and endorsing the delimitation treaty, asserting that this agreement will enhance regional stability and elevate the international profile of the region as a whole.

In addition to the trilateral discussions, a one-on-one meeting was held between Presidents Rahmon and Mirziyoyev, resulting in the signing of a protocol to exchange instruments of ratification for the treaty establishing allied relations between Tajikistan and Uzbekistan.

This was part of a broader effort to strengthen bilateral ties between the two countries.

The meeting was characterized by a spirit of camaraderie, leading to the exchange of historic documents that formally brought the treaty into effect, originally signed during a high-level bilateral summit in Dushanbe on April 18, 2023.

Furthermore, Presidents Rahmon and Japarov executed a protocol to ratify the border treaty between Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan, following comprehensive discussions centered on enhancing cooperation in areas such as trade, economy, energy, culture, and humanitarian affairs.

Negotiations regarding the border delimitation between Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan, which spans approximately 970 kilometers, have been ongoing since 2002, with intensive talks culminating in the successful finalization of border delineation in December 2024.