Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan sign historic border agreement

By Nezir Aliyev

BISHKEK, Kyrgyzstan (AA) – The presidents of Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan signed an agreement Tuesday on the demarcation of 1,170 kilometers or more than 80 percent of their shared border.

The event took place during a two-day official visit by Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev at the invitation of Kyrgyz President Almazbek Atambayev. Mirziyoyev’s visit was the first official visit by an Uzbek president since 2000, when former president Islam Karimov visited the country.

"Both the Kyrgyz and Uzbek people have been waiting for this historic day for more than 20 years," Atambayev said, adding Mirziyoyev’s visit has "opened a new era between the two countries."

The two sides also agreed to achieve a resolution soon on the remaining 200 kilometers of the disputed border.

Mirziyoyev described Kyrgyzstan as a strategic partner of Uzbekistan.

"We will turn our border into a border of friendship," he said.

He said Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan want to improve economic ties and increase bilateral trade volume to $500 million