Tajikistan surpasses Kyrgyzstan in terms of population. The level of development of the economies of both countries is approximately equal. The countries are separated by a border with a length of about 900 km. Kyrgyzstan is a member of the EAEU, Tajikistan is not. In addition to ordinary goods, drugs are transported from Afghanistan through the territory of Tajikistan to Kyrgyzstan and further in transit to Russia. Fuels and lubricants are smuggled from Kyrgyzstan to Tajikistan.

“… Our trade relations are lame, there are no dynamics. If in 2014 the volume of mutual trade was at the level of $ 40 million, then since then the numbers have not changed much. Both countries have no joint big business or mutual investments. There is only trade, and even then mainly through cooperation of border regions, ”the former deputy ambassador of Kyrgyzstan in Tajikistan.

The most serious problem in relations between Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan is the unresolved issue of disputed territories. Despite numerous promises, the authorities of the two countries were unable to finally decide the fate of the disputed areas on the border. The situation is aggravated by the growing shortage of water and arable land. The result is regular conflicts between residents of neighboring villages, often leading to casualties among the population.