Tajik parliament passes protocol on border demarcation with China.

12/1 Tass 131

DUSHANBE, January 12 (Itar-Tass) -- Tajikistan's parliament on
Wednesday approved the protocol on the demarcation of the Tajik-Chinese
border that was signed during Tajik President Emomali Rakhmon's official
visit to China in April 2010.
"The protocol is a major political event and a great success of
diplomatic services of the two friendly nations. It will draw the line in
the long lasting dispute and free our descendants from these problems,"
Tajik Foreign Minister Khamrakhon Zarifi told the lawmakers, presenting
the document.
Under the protocol, Tajikistan hands over to China 1,100 square
kilometres, or three percent, of the disputed territories in the area of
eastern Pamirs. The problem of disputed territories dates as far back as
pre-revolutionary Russia and has outlived the Soviet era. In line with the
protocol, a total of 101 border marks will be set up along the
Tajik-Chinese border, including 52 in the Chinese section and 49 - in the
Tajik section. As of now, there is only one checkpoint, Kara Soo. The
checkpoint was opened at the initiative of the Chinese side and has helped
to boost trade relations between the two countries.
China was the first neighbouring country Tajikistan delimited the
borderline with after it became independent in 1991. Efforts are
continuing to complete border demarcation procedures with Uzbekistan and
Kyrgyzstan.
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