“This is a great step forward considering our current relations with Tajikistan, and I am happy about it,” said Atambaev.

“Fortunately, Uzbekistan is now headed by Mirziyoyev, not by Karimov. I know Shavkat Mirziyoyev’s attitude towards Kyrgyzstan and its people. This should be appreciated,” the local publication quoted the former president as saying.

The Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan border is more than 1,300 kilometers long. After the collapse of the Soviet Union, several dozen disputed parts were formed along its lines. For almost 30 years, Bishkek and Tashkent could not agree on border demarcation and delimitation. The parties activated the process of peace talks in the fall of 2017, and in November 2022, the parliaments of the two countries ratified agreements on the resolution of border issues.

In January 2023, in Bishkek, the leaders of the two countries exchanged signed ratifications of the agreement on separate sections of the state border. This officially put an end to the border issue.

Almazbek Atambaev was the president of Kyrgyzstan in 2011-2017. In 2019, he was accused of corruption and illegal wealth acquisition, and his immunity was revoked. The former president was arrested as part of the case regarding the illegal release of criminal authority Aziz Batukaev. On June 23, 2020, he was sentenced to 11 years and 2 months in prison with his property confiscated. Atambaev was also deprived of state titles, awards and orders.

On February 14, 2023, the Supreme Court of Kyrgyzstan sent his case for reconsideration. He was also allowed to go abroad to plead.