Central Asia’s leaders resolve border disputes in symbolic Khujand Meeting

On March 31, the President of Uzbekistan, Shavkat Mirziyoyev, arrived in the city of Khujand on a working visit. At the airport, the head of state was given an official welcome by the President of Tajikistan, Emomali Rahmon.

The agenda included several historic matters. Notably, Kyrgyzstan's President Sadyr Japarov, who helped resolve longstanding disputes with Tajikistan, was also present in Khujand.

Initially, Mirziyoyev held a meeting with Rahmon, where the implementation of high-level agreements and the further development of alliance relations were discussed. One of the most significant steps in regional cooperation was taken as the Treaty on Alliance Relations between Uzbekistan and Tajikistan came into force. On March 31, following negotiations between the two countries, in the presence of Mirziyoyev and Rahmon, the heads of the foreign ministries of Uzbekistan and Tajikistan signed a protocol on the enforcement of the treaty and exchanged ratification documents, officially bringing the agreement into effect from that day onward. For reference, this treaty was signed during a high-level bilateral summit in Dushanbe on April 18 of last year.

Following this, a trilateral meeting between Mirziyoyev, Rahmon, and Japarov began in Khujand. As a result of the tripartite talks between neighboring countries, a historic treaty was signed regarding the junction point of the state borders of Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, and Kyrgyzstan. Additionally, the Presidents adopted a Joint Declaration.

Emomali Rahmon described the signing of the treaty on the junction point of state borders between Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, and Uzbekistan as a “very significant event.” President Mirziyoyev extended heartfelt congratulations to Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan for resolving all issues and signing the treaty on the delimitation of state borders.

Frankly speaking, these meetings were rich with symbolic meaning. First and foremost, the negotiations were held in Khujand, a city that unites these three neighboring countries. Furthermore, as part of the high-level events held in Khujand, Shavkat Mirziyoyev, Emomali Rahmon, and Sadyr Japarov ceremonially unveiled the Friendship Stele at the tri-border area where the three countries meet.

The Deputy Prime Ministers of the three countries informed the heads of state via video link about the completion of construction work and the readiness of the site. During the ceremony, the leaders simultaneously pressed a button mounted on a special stand. The Deputy Prime Ministers then cut the ribbon, officially unveiling the stele.