Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, and Kyrgyzstan signed an agreement on their shared border convergence and adopted a Joint Declaration during a trilateral meeting in Khujand, Tajikistan, on March 31.
Uzbekistan’s President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, Tajikistan’s President Emomali Rahmon, and Kyrgyzstan’s President Sadyr Japarov attended the meeting, reaffirming their commitment to regional stability and cooperation. The leaders congratulated each other on Ramadan and Navruz, emphasizing their shared goal of strengthening ties among their nations.
President Mirziyoyev congratulated Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan on resolving all outstanding border issues and finalizing the delimitation agreement. He highlighted that this step, along with the newly signed accord, would enhance regional security, foster economic development, and elevate Central Asia’s international standing. The unveiling of the Stele of Friendship was noted as a symbol of trust, good-neighborly relations, and strategic partnership.
The discussion focused on priority areas for collaboration, particularly high-level diplomatic engagement. President Mirziyoyev underlined the importance of upcoming international summits, including the Central Asia–European Union Summit and Climate Forum in Samarkand, the May summit with Gulf states, and the September Consultative Meeting of Central Asian leaders. The three sides agreed to continue close coordination through their foreign ministries to prepare for these key events.
Cross-border trade and economic cooperation were key topics, with Uzbekistan’s trade with Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan increasing more than tenfold in recent years. The leaders emphasized the need to modernize and expand customs checkpoints, enhance trade and logistics infrastructure, and explore the creation of a trilateral trade platform and a permanent exhibition for industrial and agricultural products.
The leaders also discussed industrial collaboration, with Uzbek enterprises actively investing in production facilities in Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan. President Mirziyoyev proposed gradually increasing the capital of joint investment funds to support these efforts. Transport connectivity was another focus, with plans to expand air and bus routes between border regions.
Regional energy, environmental, and infrastructure projects were highlighted, including joint initiatives in green energy, transport, and water management. President Mirziyoyev stressed that economic cooperation should deliver tangible benefits to improve the well-being of citizens.
Cultural and humanitarian ties were also addressed, with an agreement to expand cultural exchanges. President Mirziyoyev suggested organizing annual friendship festivals and concerts during Navruz, offering to host the next event in Fergana, Uzbekistan.
On March 31, President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev arrived in Khujand, Tajikistan, for a working visit. He was welcomed at the airport by Tajik President Emomali Rahmon, with national flags raised in honor of the visit. The ceremony featured traditional songs and dances, celebrating the strong ties between the two nations.
Following his arrival, President Mirziyoyev held talks with President Rahmon, focusing on further strengthening bilateral cooperation. At the conclusion of the meeting, in the presence of both leaders, the foreign ministers of Uzbekistan and Tajikistan signed a protocol on the entry into force of the Treaty on Allied Relations and exchanged ratification instruments, marking a new milestone in diplomatic relations.
