Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) — Today, on 31 March, a truly historic event took place in Khujand—the summit of the leaders of Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, and Kyrgyzstan.

As a result of the meeting, a historic Treaty on the Tri-Junction Point of the State Borders of Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, and Kyrgyzstan was signed, along with a Joint Declaration by the heads of the three states. This reflects their firm commitment to transforming state borders into a zone of peace, stability, and joint development, fostering security and prosperity throughout the region.

The resolution of border issues between the three countries that share the Fergana Valley is the outcome of years of meticulous work, sincere dialogue, and cooperation based on the principles of respect for sovereignty, equality, and mutual benefit. It opens up entirely new prospects for the development of comprehensive partnerships, strengthening trust and friendship among the peoples of the three nations while improving their quality of life.

It is particularly noteworthy that the consolidation of the entire region played a crucial role in this process, effectively laying the foundation for addressing emerging issues exclusively through compromise and mutual respect for each other's interests.

Many experts agree that Central Asia has fundamentally reshaped its global image in a remarkably short period. Not long ago, relations between the countries were fraught with unresolved issues and acute contradictions, whether concerning borders or water resource management.

However, what once seemed like inevitable interstate conflicts now appear as an implausible scenario. Suspicion, skepticism, and unhealthy competition have been replaced by trust, mutual understanding, and a collective desire to address the region’s shared challenges.

Thanks to the political consolidation of the region’s leaders, Central Asia has become a space of trust, good-neighborliness, and mutually beneficial cooperation. The region has gained resilience and stability, independently overcoming emerging challenges and threats while embarking on a steady development trajectory, transforming into a hub of economic and investment activity.

Central Asia has also begun to play an increasingly important role in shaping the global agenda as a responsible and predictable actor in international relations.

A major contribution to regional rapprochement has been made by the proactive foreign policy of the President of Uzbekistan, Shavkat Mirziyoyev, who, from the very beginning of his tenure, identified Central Asia as the key priority of Uzbekistan’s foreign policy.

The main objectives of this regional policy have been to strengthen good-neighborly relations and trust, resolve existing issues, foster region-wide cooperation, and actively engage on the international stage.

Uzbekistan’s initiative led to the organization of a high-level international conference under the auspices of the UN, titled "Central Asia: Shared Past and Common Future," held in Samarkand in November 2017. This event laid the foundation for a fundamentally new format of regional partnership, as well as for the regular Consultative Meetings of Central Asian Heads of State (CMCA).

This, in turn, created the necessary conditions for forming a healthy political climate in the region, drastically improving interstate relations and laying the groundwork for further regional consolidation.

The launch of the CMCA mechanism marked a turning point in Central Asia’s history. These consultative meetings have evolved into a key platform for discussing strategic issues and making important decisions. In recent years, they have transformed into a practical mechanism for developing and strengthening the legal and institutional foundations of intergovernmental cooperation in Central Asia.

Various mechanisms have been established, including meetings of foreign ministers and heads of sectoral ministries.

Regular meetings are held for women leaders, university rectors, scientists, youth, as well as economic forums, exhibitions, and numerous cultural and humanitarian events.

The long-term collaboration within this format has resulted in the adoption of key conceptual documents. Notably, during the Astana summit in August 2024, the "Central Asia – 2040" regional cooperation development concept was adopted, solidifying the countries’ commitment to jointly addressing pressing issues and further deepening cooperative processes in the region.

Moreover, the Roadmap for Regional Cooperation Development for 2025-2027, adopted at the same summit, highlights the countries’ readiness to intensify their collaborative efforts and their determination to implement previously reached agreements.

At the same time, political consolidation and high levels of trust have fostered rapid economic growth. Since 2016, the region’s combined GDP has increased by more than 80%, reaching nearly $500 billion by the end of 2024.

In recent years, Central Asian countries have moved beyond traditional trade, expanding industrial cooperation, joint investment projects, and high-value-added production. This has led to the formation of a unified regional market, an integrated transportation and energy system, and new logistics routes.

Additionally, cross-border trade and industrial zones are being created across the region. In a bilateral format, the Uzbek-Kyrgyz and Uzbek-Tajik investment funds have been established to finance large-scale joint projects.

Projects under these frameworks have already been launched in the automotive industry, electrical engineering, textile manufacturing, and agriculture. Collectively, these initiatives open new opportunities for the production of import-substituting goods and enhance the sustainability of Central Asia’s industrial infrastructure.

In other words, regional rapprochement has played a decisive role in resolving border issues that have long remained complex and sensitive for certain Central Asian states.

Uzbekistan, the only country bordering all Central Asian nations, has fully settled its border issues with Kazakhstan and delimited its borders with Turkmenistan, Tajikistan, and Kyrgyzstan.

Additionally, visa regimes have been simplified, and border crossing capacity has improved, facilitating an increase in mutual travel by citizens. Uzbekistan maintains a visa-free regime with all Central Asian countries except Turkmenistan.

Today, Uzbek and Kazakh citizens can visit each other's countries visa-free for up to 30 days. Between Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan, a 60-day visa-free regime is in place, and since September 1, 2023, citizens of both countries have been able to travel using their ID cards instead of passports. Meanwhile, citizens of Tajikistan and Uzbekistan can stay in each other’s territories for up to 30 days without a visa.

A landmark event this past month was the signing of the Treaty on the State Border between Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan. This historic agreement effectively ended a long-standing dispute between the two nations, marking the beginning of a new era of mutually beneficial cooperation. Furthermore, the two countries reopened two border checkpoints that had been closed for four years and agreed to restore air travel.

In this context, the signing of the Treaty on the Tri-Junction Point of the Borders of Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, and Kyrgyzstan holds particular significance for the development of the Fergana Valley—one of the most densely populated and economically active regions in Central Asia. The valley is home to over 16.5 million people, accounting for 20% of the total population of the five Central Asian states. The population density in the valley is about 200 people per square kilometer, 12 times the regional average.

Resolving border issues and lifting previous restrictions will create favorable conditions for deepening trade and economic cooperation, enhancing transport connectivity, and expanding industrial collaboration. It is expected that the simplification of border-crossing procedures will positively impact business development, cross-border trade, and labor migration opportunities.

Additionally, the agreement will open new prospects for joint infrastructure projects, including modernizing transport corridors, establishing logistics centers, and developing cross-border trade and industrial zones. This, in turn, will stimulate economic activity, attract investments, and create new jobs—crucial for the rapidly developing Fergana Valley.

Thus, the trilateral summit in Khujand represents not only a logical continuation of efforts to strengthen regional cooperation but also a clear signal to the world that Central Asia is ready to resolve complex issues independently—through dialogue and mutual agreements.

Azamat Sulimanov
Head of Department, ISMI
under the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan

Saidbek Mamatkobilov
Senior Research Fellow, ISMI
under the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan