TASHKENT, Aug. 5 (Xinhua) -- Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan have officially initiated organizational and technical procedures for the transfer of two border villages, Chon-Gara and Tash-Tobo, from Uzbekistan to Kyrgyzstan, local media reported, citing the press service of the Batken regional government of Kyrgyzstan.
The procedure is being carried out under agreements governing the demarcation of the state border and the exchange of land plots.
On July 24, a joint working commission convened in Kyrgyzstan's Kadamjay district to address key issues, including determining the legal status of local residents, outlining potential relocation procedures, and settling property and economic matters.
Under the border delimitation framework, the villages of Chon-Gara and Tash-Tobo, formerly under the administrative jurisdiction of Uzbekistan's Fergana region, are being incorporated into Kyrgyzstan. Preliminary data indicates the two villages are predominantly inhabited by ethnic Kyrgyz, with a total population of around 2,500.
Local registration procedures are currently underway. Following their completion, residents will undergo legal processes to obtain Kyrgyz citizenship.
In exchange for the two villages, Kyrgyzstan will transfer a plot of land of equal area from its state border zone to Uzbekistan, according to the bilateral agreement. ■