BISHKEK -- Several roads along the Kyrgyz-Tajik border remain closed after an alleged arson attack destroyed a teahouse belonging to a Kyrgyz citizen in a disputed area.
On December 19, Kyrgyz Deputy Prime Minister Tokon Mamytov went to the area to join negotiations between local Kyrgyz and Tajik officials in Tajikistan's Isfara district.
The incident took place on December 17, one day after Tajik border guards released two Kyrgyz citizens detained on December 15 for allegedly crossing the border illegally.
On December 17, the Kyrgyz government asked Tajikistan to hold the next round of talks on border demarcation on December 24.
Clashes between Kyrgyz and Tajiks along the border have been reported several times this year.
Three countries sharing the Ferghana Valley -- Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, and Uzbekistan -- inherited unclear borders when they gained independence from the Soviet Union in 1991.
Many populated areas along those borders remain in dispute.
On December 19, Kyrgyz Deputy Prime Minister Tokon Mamytov went to the area to join negotiations between local Kyrgyz and Tajik officials in Tajikistan's Isfara district.
The incident took place on December 17, one day after Tajik border guards released two Kyrgyz citizens detained on December 15 for allegedly crossing the border illegally.
On December 17, the Kyrgyz government asked Tajikistan to hold the next round of talks on border demarcation on December 24.
Clashes between Kyrgyz and Tajiks along the border have been reported several times this year.
Three countries sharing the Ferghana Valley -- Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, and Uzbekistan -- inherited unclear borders when they gained independence from the Soviet Union in 1991.
Many populated areas along those borders remain in dispute.
