Negotiations are underway regarding the delimitation of state borders between the governmental commissions of the two countries after a long forced break. The negotiation process was interrupted in 1998 due to the internal political situation in Tajikistan, which was caused by the aftermath of the civil war in that country. A Protocol on the comprehensive consideration of bilateral issues between Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan (1996) has been signed, which outlines the beginning of discussions on border issues.
On the 990-kilometer border with Tajikistan, in the Batken and Lailak districts, there are about 70 disputed areas. The situation is complicated by the fact that Tajikistan has enclaves of Vorukh, Chorkukh, and Surkh within Kyrgyzstan.
In 1944, the collective farm "Lenin" in the Batken district of the Kyrgyz SSR and the collective farm named after Lenin in the Isfara district of the Tajik SSR were merged for the joint cultivation of cotton, resulting in Kyrgyz territories: Sharkyrak, Orus Mazar (GMZ, Novobod), Maatpari, SANTO (KIM), Kokshok, Niyazbek, Markham, Karakchy-Kum, Zhigdal, Katagan, Kysakoz, Gafurovo (Kozhobakyrgan-Say), the city of Chkalovsk, the station Dorgomyr, Degimay, Proletarsk — with a total area of 1,500 m² remaining part of Tajikistan.
The Vorukh enclave has a population of 40,000 ethnic Tajiks. A road of strategic importance runs through the enclave — it is the only transport route connecting the Lailak district, neighboring Batken, with the rest of the country.
There are several disputed areas around the enclave and the adjacent border line.
Kyrgyz and Tajiks have long been unable to agree on these areas. The reason for the disputes is the lack of irrigated land and irrigation water.
Currently, many tasks are being addressed to clarify and define interstate borders with Uzbekistan and Tajikistan. The demarcation of the Kyrgyz-Chinese border has been completed, and a system of agreements on the regime at the Kyrgyz-Chinese border is being created. Demarcation of the Kyrgyz-Kazakh border is also underway.
Work on defining the state border is being conducted according to the rules accepted in world practice, with adherence to necessary domestic procedures and involving relevant state structures in developing the country's position. A state mechanism has been created to resolve border issues: the Security Council and the governmental commission on border issues have been conducting systematic work on this problem. The delegations directly conducting negotiations on specific sections of the border consist of specialists from republican, regional, and district agencies.
