Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan agree on border, paving way for Central Asia ‘Schengen’ zone
The agreement, which settled territorial disputes related to nearly 500km of the border, also included mutual access to water and energy
Kyrgyz and Tajik lawmakers have agreed to settle a century-long border dispute, paving the way for a new “Schengen area” in Central Asia.
With this ratification, all border issues in Central Asia have been solved, said Kyrgyz president Sadyr Japarov.
Japarov earlier urged five Central Asian countries, including Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan, to construct a mutual visa-free zone.
“From now on, eternal peace will be established in Central Asia,” he said in a social media post on March 13, when he met his counterpart Emomali Rahmon to sign the landmark deal.
“Now we need to start the process of visa-free travel between Central Asian countries, and for visitors from other countries to travel to all Central Asian countries with a visa to one country, just like a Schengen visa.”
