Border issues should be solved by lawyers, says expert

Bishkek, May 17, 2021. / Kabar /. The conflict on the border with Tajikistan has exposed many security problems, not only in Kyrgyzstan, but in the region as a whole. Despite the fact that the problem has been known about for years, no solutions have been proposed as such. But now this issue cannot be postponed. In this regard, the expert community decided to discuss the accumulated problems at the roundtable titled "The impact of border conflicts in the Fergana Valley on the architecture of global security in Central Asia".

Political scientist and head of the Eurasian region Nikita Mendkovich stated the need to end the forceful phase of the conflict and to resort only to political methods.

"The level of violence is not commensurate with the scale of the territory in dispute. Casualties are not inadequate price to pay for such territory. It is the duty of presidents to make sure the conflict does not happen again. I understand the patriotic impulse, but the conflict itself must come to an end," the expert says.

As for the international aspects, Mendkovich noted the problem with this conflict is that it is very much politicized.

"In Tajikistan, this conflict is to the advantage of the current president. In Kyrgyzstan, it's the opposite. This conflict is used by the opposition to make Zhaparov's partners turn away from him. This is a political game which has no relation to reality. Regarding the CSTO (the Collective Security Treaty Organization), the organization has done everything possible to resolve the conflict through negotiations", he said.

He also added that the issue of borders should be dealt with by professional lawyers on both sides.

"The task of border guards is to ensure security," the expert said, drawing attention to the fact that interference by Russia or other third parties would not help in any way.