Historic water agreement reached between Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan

Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan have reached an agreement to jointly use the "Chashma" spring, which has previously been a source of disputes between the citizens of both countries. The announcement was made on April 24 in Tashkent during a bilateral meeting on the delimitation and demarcation of the Uzbek-Kyrgyz state border, led by Uzbekistan’s Prime Minister Abdulla Aripov and Kyrgyzstan’s Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers and State Committee for National Security, Kamchybek Tashiyev.

During the negotiations, both sides approved a protocol defining the final stretch of the Uzbekistan-Kyrgyzstan border and confirmed the key provisions of an agreement on the joint use of Chashma Spring.

Officials emphasized that Chashma Spring is a shared natural resource, and an agreement was reached ensuring Uzbek citizens unrestricted access to the spring. Under the new arrangement, Uzbekistan will use two-thirds of the spring's water resources, and any activity that could impact the quantity or quality of the water must be coordinated with the Uzbek side.

Additionally, both countries agreed to prevent any actions that could hinder their citizens from fully benefiting from Chashma Spring in the spirit of friendship and good neighborliness.

The governments of Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan plan to finalize and sign the joint use agreement and border settlement treaty within a short time frame.

The negotiations also addressed the status and operations of several border crossing points along the Uzbek-Kyrgyz state border. The parties agreed on common approaches to facilitate the movement of citizens and cargo through checkpoints.

The talks were praised for their constructive approach, contributing to easier border crossings and trade flow. It was also noted that amendments should be made to the 2004 Uzbek-Kyrgyz border agreement regarding crossing points, with the goal of signing the revised protocol as soon as possible.

The two sides agreed to hold a meeting of working groups consisting of representatives from relevant government agencies in the near future.

Following the negotiations, the parties signed a formal protocol outlining the agreed terms.

On May 31, 2020, clashes broke out between Uzbek and Kyrgyz citizens over access to Chashma Spring, located on the border between Uzbekistan's Sokh district and Kyrgyzstan's Batken region. The dispute led to mass unrest, prompting Uzbek authorities, including local officials and law enforcement officers, to intervene. However, some individuals resisted government representatives, resulting in injuries.

A criminal case regarding the "Sokh incident" was later handled through open court proceedings, involving 22 defendants, 36 victims, and 21 witnesses.

Following the border conflict, Uzbekistan’s Prime Minister Abdulla Aripov traveled to Sokh district, where he met with Kyrgyzstan’s First Deputy Prime Minister Kubatbek Boronov in Batken.