Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan begin implementing land-swap agreement
Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan have initiated the execution of their land-swap agreement.
According to a report from 24kg, citing the office of the Kyrgyz president’s representative in the Batken region, Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan have commenced the organizational and technical procedures for the official transfer of Chongara and Toshtepa villages. These villages, previously situated in Uzbekistan’s Fergana region, are being transferred to Kyrgyzstan in accordance with bilateral agreements concerning border demarcation and land exchanges.
The office of the Kyrgyz president’s representative in the Batken region confirmed that this process is a direct result of the agreements between the two nations regarding the demarcation of their shared border and the exchange of land parcels.
On July 24, the joint working commission convened its most recent meeting in the Kadamjay district. Discussions between the two parties encompassed the citizenship status of the residents, arrangements for relocation, property rights, economic activities, and other logistical matters pertaining to the transfer.
A joint working group commenced operations directly within the villages on August 3. Specialists are currently engaged in registering residents and providing explanations regarding the necessary documentation procedures.
The Kyrgyz delegation is headed by Bakytbek Toksonbayev, who serves as the first deputy representative of the Kyrgyz president in the Batken region. Leading Uzbekistan’s delegation is Behzod Sayfullayev, the deputy director of the Interior Ministry’s Department of Migration and Personalization.
Chongara and Toshtepa are primarily populated by ethnic Kyrgyz, with an estimated combined population of nearly 2,500 individuals across both villages.
Upon the conclusion of the registration process, the procedures for granting Kyrgyz citizenship to the residents will commence, in adherence to national legislation.
As per the land-exchange agreement, Kyrgyzstan will reciprocate by providing Uzbekistan with land plots of equivalent size in exchange for the transferred territories.
These recent actions signify the implementation phase of broader agreements designed to resolve long-standing border disputes and enhance cooperation between the two neighboring countries.
Previously, Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan reached an agreement to exempt each other’s citizens from mandatory registration requirements for the initial 15 days following their border crossing.