Progress in cooperation between Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan

Following agreements on border demarcation between the two countries, the first intergovernmental council held in Bishkek outlined new objectives for commercial and economic cooperation. Joint tourism projects and centres for combating drug trafficking and crime are also on the horizon.

Bishkek (AsiaNews) - The first meeting of the Kyrgyz-Tajik intergovernmental council was held in Bishkek, chaired by Tajik Prime Minister Kokhir Rasulzoda, and Kyrgyz Prime Minister Adylbek Kasymaliev, to confirm ‘the high level of bilateral political dialogue’ after the border demarcation agreements and the end of the long-standing conflicts between the two Central Asian countries.

Attention is now focused primarily on trade and economic cooperation, and as Kasymaliev stated, Kyrgyzstan is ready to increase supplies of meat, dairy products, clothing, textiles and glass products, as well as sugar and coal to Tajikistan. A detailed programme will be prepared to organise trade, including concrete and effective measures to be implemented in successive stages, appointing the appropriate persons in charge for each structure and initiative.

The head of the Kyrgyz government assured that Bishkek is ready to act as a “trade gateway” for Tajik products to the markets of the Eurasian Economic Union and also the European Union, thanks to the Vsp+Eu system, with unilateral concessions on customs tariffs for various items from developing countries. Kyrgyzstan is engaged in a major infrastructure project of strategic importance involving the China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan railway connection, which will greatly increase transit potential and strengthen the country's role as an important logistics hub in the Eurasian space, also involving Tajikistan.

The development of logistics networks should be geared towards improving border infrastructure, as the two prime ministers emphasise, increasing the effectiveness of checkpoints and crossing points through their modernisation and expanding transit capacity at rest and loading terminals, with the introduction of digital solutions in customs and border administration. The possibility of opening large shopping centres on both sides of the border was also considered as a mechanism for offering products, establishing direct contacts between entrepreneurs and forming stable and sustainable channels of trade and resource exploitation.

The parties also declared their interest in implementing joint tourism projects, establishing a common system of entry visas to Central Asia for citizens of other states. According to the results for 2025, Kyrgyzstan was visited by 86,000 tourists from Tajikistan, 12 times more than in 2024. Rasulzoda confirmed that the intergovernmental council is an excellent platform for the development of joint initiatives, including in areas such as energy and agriculture. In May this year, the Days of Culture of Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan will be held.

A memorandum of “mutual understanding” was then signed by both parties between the Kyrgyz Export development centre and the Tajik Chamber of Commerce and Industry, in addition to the protocol of the entire bilateral council meeting. After the meeting, Kokhir Rasulzoda also met with the President of Kyrgyzstan, Sadyr Žaparov, who in turn stressed the importance of Kyrgyz-Tajik cooperation “based on mutual respect and promoting the interests of both parties”, giving concrete follow-up to the agreements already reached between the two countries.

Particular attention was paid to security issues and the fight against transnational threats such as terrorism, religious extremism, drug trafficking and organised crime. To this end, a centre against drug trafficking will be set up in Dushanbe and a centre for combating crime in Bishkek, in coordination with the relevant structures of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation.