Expatriates Forums in Uzbekistan

Travelling to Uzbekistan: some questions

Writer-Ukraine — Mon Sep 14, 2009 9:10 am

Author: Writer-Ukraine

Posted: Mon Sep 14, 2009 9:10 am

Hi,

I’m a 24 year-old British translator and editor, currently working in Kyiv, Ukraine. I’ve been planning a journey through the Caucasus and Central Asia for a couple of years – I’m writing a collection of travel stories - and it looks as if next spring I’ll finally have the time and money to make it happen.

I have a degree in Russian, and studied in Russia before moving to Ukraine, but I have always been captivated by the culture in the satellite states. I have read a fair amount about Uzbekistan, but haven’t found much information that is helpful for planning a journey.

So, my questions are:

- How easy/safe is it to move across the country, and across borders? How expensive/reliable are trains and marshrutki?

- What are the visa requirements for short-term, tourist stays?

- How widely is Russian spoken in towns and cities? Do people react to foreigners positively or negatively?

- How many expats are there, generally?

- What are Uzbekistan’s landmarks? – (not necessarily the biggest tourist attractions, but the places that best represent the country and its people).

- What is a realistic daily budget (two meals, transport and accommodation)?

Apologies if I’ve asked any questions that appear a hundred times on the forum. I’d be very grateful for any advice, ideas and information.

Thanks,

Jon

Visa charges

expatuz — Fri Feb 13, 2009 7:23 am

Author: expatuz

Posted: Fri Feb 13, 2009 7:23 am

There has been recent changes to visa extention charges. Fees are generelly increased and you should consult with the nearest embassy about charges.

Places to visit: Khiva

expatuz — Fri Jan 30, 2009 9:14 am

Author: expatuz

Posted: Fri Jan 30, 2009 9:14 am

Ichan - Kala, Khiva (late 18th century - early 19th century)
Madrasah of Allahkulikhan, Khiva (1834/1835)
Madrasah of Kutlug-Murad-Inak, Khiva (1804/1812)
Tim and Caravansary of Allahkulikkhan, Khiva (19th century)
Madrasah of Abdullakhan, Khiva (1865)
The Mosque and Chambers of Anush Khan, Khiva (1657)
Tash-Hauli (palace Allahkulikhan), Khiva (1830/1836)

Places to visit: Bukhara

expatuz — Fri Jan 30, 2009 9:14 am

Author: expatuz

Posted: Fri Jan 30, 2009 9:14 am

The Ark, Bukhara (11th - 12th centuries)
Ensemble of Bola Hauz, Bukhara (early 18th - 20th centuries)
Mausoleum of Samani, Bukhara (9th - 10th centuries)
Mazar of Chashmoi-Ayub, Bukhara (1380 or 1384/1385)
Madrasah of Abdulla Khan, Bukhara (1596/1598)
Madrasah of Madari Khan, Bukhara (1556/1557)
Mosque of Baland, Bukhara (early 16th century)
Ensemble of Gaukushon, Bukhara (16th century)

Places to visit: Samarkand

expatuz — Fri Jan 30, 2009 9:13 am

Author: expatuz

Posted: Fri Jan 30, 2009 9:13 am

Ancient settlement of Afrosiab, Samarkand (8th century BC)
Observatory of Ulugbek, Samarkand (1428-1429)
Architectural Ensemble of Shahi Zinda, Samarkand
Mosque of Bibi Khonim, Samarkand (1399-1404)
Mausoleum of Gur Emir, Samarkand (1404)
Registan Square, Samarkand
Madrasah of Ulugbek (1417-1420)
Madrasah of Sher Dor (1619-1635/36)
Madrasah of Tilla Kori (1647-1659/60)

Places to visit: Tashkent

expatuz — Fri Jan 30, 2009 9:12 am

Author: expatuz

Posted: Fri Jan 30, 2009 9:12 am

Madrasah of Kukeldash, Tashkent (14th century)
Mausoleum of Kaffal-Shashi, Tashkent (15th century)
Architectural Ensemble Hazrati Imam, Tashkent (16th century)
Madrasah of Abul Kasim, Tashkent (19th century)
Madrasah of Barakkhan, Tashkent (16th century)

Oman, Uzbekistan to develop several large economic projects

expatuz — Fri Jan 30, 2009 9:11 am

Author: expatuz

Posted: Fri Jan 30, 2009 9:11 am

Uzbekistan intends to supply bread-grain and fruit and vegetables production to the Oman Sultanate. This agreement was achieved during Uzbek businessmen's visit to Oman, the press service of the Ministry of Foreign Economic Relations, Investments and Trade reported.

Uzbekistan advance to SF by battering Malaysia

expatuz — Fri Jan 30, 2009 9:10 am

Author: expatuz

Posted: Fri Jan 30, 2009 9:10 am

Despite of ending the first half with a 1-1- score line, Malaysia failed to stop the Uzbeks from adding more three goals to come out triumphant 4-2 in the group A fixture played at Qatar Sports Stadium.

President of Russia ends state visit to Uzbekistan

expatuz — Fri Jan 30, 2009 9:08 am

Author: expatuz

Posted: Fri Jan 30, 2009 9:08 am

The two-day state visit of the President of Russia Dmitriy Medvedev to Uzbekistan completed on 23 January.

The President of Uzbekistan Islam Karimov saw off the Russian leader at the Tashkent airport on Friday evening.

The sides believe the agreements reached during the visit will raise the Uzbek-Russian relations to a new, higher level

Uzbekistan Expatriate Site (Expat.Uz)

uzbek — Fri Dec 19, 2008 7:58 am

Author: uzbek

Posted: Fri Dec 19, 2008 7:58 am

Expat.Uz provides unbiased information about travel, work and study options for all expats living or relocating to Uzbekistan. expat.uz

BBC, ITV and Ch4 Uk TELLY

Suzi Williams — Wed Nov 12, 2008 2:57 pm

Author: Suzi Williams

Posted: Wed Nov 12, 2008 2:57 pm

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How Women Can Look Good Inside of the Gym ?

jasmine007 — Mon Sep 15, 2008 6:48 pm

Author: jasmine007

Posted: Mon Sep 15, 2008 6:48 pm

Hello friends

The following tips are are for those gorgeous girls and mature women who spend their quality time in Gym to look the same outside of the Gym as well ?
Have Fun ....

1. Throw out your bodysuits and leg warmers

Avoid oversized shirts and shorts. While these items might feel comfortable they tend to make you look unkept and can be hazardous if they get caught in an exercise machine. If you want to look your absolute best, choose outfits that fit your body well and are in colors that flatter you.

2. Choose clothing that is made for exercise
The t-shirt and jeans that you wear are not be suitable for the gym. Workout clothes are designed to keep sweat and moisture away from the body. Cotton t-shirts, while breathable, can keep moisture close to the skin. Jeans similarly trap moisture next to the body and are also too restricting. Instead, shop for fitness wear that is made to be quick drying and moisture wicking. Look for items with polyester, spandex, and mesh ventilation panels.

3. Wear a good sports bra

An important part of looking good in the gym is wearing a good sports bra. Working out can include alot of jumping and running, activities that can cause breast jiggle and discomfort. If you are heavy breasted, look for sports bras with wide straps that provide good support. Make sure they are made of breathable fabrics to avoid chafing.

4. Wear footwear appropriate for your workout
Look for shoes that are appropriate for your exercise routine. Exercise footwear is designed to be activity specific. If you are a runner, look for a good running shoe. If you are an aerobics fanatic, pick a sneaker that is made for aerobic workouts. Picking the right shoe for your activity will guarantee you get the support you need and help you avoid injury.

5. Avoid wearing jewelry

As a general rule, your jewelry should not be a part of your workout ensemble. While you might want to keep your wedding band on, wearing too many rings can make it difficult to grab weights or handles on exercise machines.

Follow these simple tips and you will not only look good inside and out of the gym, but you will enjoy a successful workout too.

UZBEKISTAN COUNTRY PROFILE / UZBEKISTAN COUNTRY GUIDE

Uzbekistan Info — Wed May 09, 2007 11:38 am

Author: Uzbekistan Info

Posted: Wed May 09, 2007 11:38 am

UZBEKISTAN COUNTRY PROFILE

Introduction

Russia conquered Uzbekistan in the late 19th century. Stiff resistance to the Red Army after World War I was eventually suppressed and a socialist republic set up in 1924. During the Soviet era, intensive production of "white gold" (cotton) and grain led to overuse of agrochemicals and the depletion of water supplies, which have left the land poisoned and the Aral Sea and certain rivers half dry. Independent since 1991, the country seeks to gradually lessen its dependence on agriculture while developing its mineral and petroleum reserves. Current concerns include terrorism by Islamic militants, economic stagnation, and the curtailment of human rights and democratization.

Geography

Location: Central Asia, north of Afghanistan

Geographic coordinates: 41 00 N, 64 00 E

Area:
total: 447,400 sq km
land: 425,400 sq km
water: 22,000 sq km

Area - comparative: slightly larger than California

Land boundaries:
total: 6,221 km
border countries: Afghanistan 137 km, Kazakhstan 2,203 km, Kyrgyzstan 1,099 km, Tajikistan 1,161 km, Turkmenistan 1,621 km

Coastline:
0 km (doubly landlocked); note - Uzbekistan includes the southern portion of the Aral Sea with a 420 km shoreline

Maritime claims: none (doubly landlocked)

Climate: mostly midlatitude desert, long, hot summers, mild winters; semiarid grassland in east

Terrain:
mostly flat-to-rolling sandy desert with dunes; broad, flat intensely irrigated river valleys along course of Amu Darya, Syr Darya (Sirdaryo), and Zarafshon; Fergana Valley in east surrounded by mountainous Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan; shrinking Aral Sea in west

Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Sariqarnish Kuli -12 m
highest point: Adelunga Toghi 4,301 m

Natural resources:
natural gas, petroleum, coal, gold, uranium, silver, copper, lead and zinc, tungsten, molybdenum

Land use:
arable land: 10.83%
permanent crops: 0.83%
other: 88.34% (2001)

Irrigated land: 42,810 sq km (1998 est.)

Natural hazards: NA

Environment - current issues:
shrinkage of the Aral Sea is resulting in growing concentrations of chemical pesticides and natural salts; these substances are then blown from the increasingly exposed lake bed and contribute to desertification; water pollution from industrial wastes and the heavy use of fertilizers and pesticides is the cause of many human health disorders; increasing soil salination; soil contamination from buried nuclear processing and agricultural chemicals, including DDT

Environment - international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands
signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements

Geography - note: along with Liechtenstein, one of the only two doubly landlocked countries in the world

People

Population: 26,851,195 (July 2005 est.)

Age structure:
0-14 years: 33.5% (male 4,575,443/female 4,408,146)
15-64 years: 61.7% (male 8,201,993/female 8,371,933)
65 years and over: 4.8% (male 528,334/female 765,346) (2005 est.)

Median age:
total: 22.36 years
male: 21.74 years
female: 23 years (2005 est.)

Population growth rate: 1.67% (2005 est.)

Birth rate: 26.22 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Death rate: 7.95 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Net migration rate: -1.61 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 0.98 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.69 male(s)/female
total population: 0.98 male(s)/female (2005 est.)

Infant mortality rate:
total: 71.1 deaths/1,000 live births
male: 74.78 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 67.22 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)

Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 64.19 years
male: 60.82 years
female: 67.73 years (2005 est.)

Total fertility rate: 2.94 children born/woman (2005 est.)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: less than 0.1% (2001 est.)

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: 11,000 (2003 est.)

HIV/AIDS - deaths: less than 500 (2003 est.)

Nationality:
noun: Uzbekistani
adjective: Uzbekistani

Ethnic groups: Uzbek 80%, Russian 5.5%, Tajik 5%, Kazakh 3%, Karakalpak 2.5%, Tatar 1.5%, other 2.5% (1996 est.)

Religions: Muslim 88% (mostly Sunnis), Eastern Orthodox 9%, other 3%

Languages: Uzbek 74.3%, Russian 14.2%, Tajik 4.4%, other 7.1%

Literacy:
definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 99.3%
male: 99.6%
female: 99% (2003 est.)

Government

Country name:
conventional long form: Republic of Uzbekistan
conventional short form: Uzbekistan
local long form: Ozbekiston Respublikasi
local short form: Ozbekiston
former: Uzbek Soviet Socialist Republic

Government type: republic; authoritarian presidential rule, with little power outside the executive branch

Capital: Tashkent (Toshkent)

Administrative divisions:
12 provinces (viloyatlar, singular - viloyat), 1 autonomous republic* (respublika), and 1 city** (shahar); Andijon Viloyati, Buxoro Viloyati, Farg'ona Viloyati, Jizzax Viloyati, Namangan Viloyati, Navoiy Viloyati, Qashqadaryo Viloyati (Qarshi), Qaraqalpog'iston Respublikasi* (Nukus), Samarqand Viloyati, Sirdaryo Viloyati (Guliston), Surxondaryo Viloyati (Termiz), Toshkent Shahri**, Toshkent Viloyati, Xorazm Viloyati (Urganch)
note: administrative divisions have the same names as their administrative centers (exceptions have the administrative center name following in parentheses)

Independence: 1 September 1991 (from Soviet Union)

National holiday: Independence Day, 1 September (1991)

Constitution: new constitution adopted 8 December 1992

Legal system: evolution of Soviet civil law; still lacks independent judicial system

Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal

Executive branch:
chief of state: President Islom KARIMOV (since 24 March 1990, when he was elected president by the then Supreme Soviet)
head of government: Prime Minister Shavkat MIRZIYAYEV (since 11 December 2003)
cabinet: Cabinet of Ministers appointed by the president with approval of the Supreme Assembly
elections: president elected by popular vote for a seven-year term (previously was a five-year term, extended by constitutional amendment in 2002); election last held 9 January 2000 (next to be held December 2007); prime minister and deputy ministers appointed by the president
election results: Islom KARIMOV reelected president; percent of vote - Islom KARIMOV 91.9%, Abdulkhafiz JALALOV 4.2%

Legislative branch:
bicameral Supreme Assembly or Oliy Majlis consists of an Upper House or Senate (100 seats; 84 members are elected by regional governing councils to serve five-year terms and 16 are appointed by the president) and a Lower House or Legislative Chamber (120 seats; elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms)
elections: last held 26 December 2004 and 9 January 2005 (next to be held December 2009)
election results: Senate - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - NA; Legislative Chamber - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - LDPU 41, NDP 32, Fidokorlar 17, MTP 11, Adolat 9, unaffiliated 10
note: all parties in the Supreme Assembly support President KARIMOV

Judicial branch:
Supreme Court (judges are nominated by the president and confirmed by the Supreme Assembly)

Political parties and leaders:
Adolat (Justice) Social Democratic Party [Dilorom TOSHMUHAMMADOVA, chairman]; Democratic National Rebirth Party (Milly Tiklanish) or MTP [Xurshid DOSTMUHAMMADOV, chief]; Liberal Democratic Party of Uzbekistan or LDPU [Adham SHODMONOV, chairman]; People's Democratic Party or NDP (formerly Communist Party) [Asliddin RUSTAMOV, first secretary]; Self-Sacrificers Party or Fidokorlar National Democratic Party [Ahtam TURSUNOV, chief]; note - Fatherland Progress Party merged with Self-Sacrificers Party

Political pressure groups and leaders:
Agrarian and Entrepreneurs' Party [Marat ZAHIDOV]; Birlik (Unity) Movement [Abdurakhim POLAT, chairman]; Erk (Freedom) Democratic Party [Muhammad SOLIH, chairman] was banned 9 December 1992; Ezgulik Human Rights Society [Vasilia INOYATOVA]; Free Farmers' Party or Ozod Dehqonlar [Nigara KHIDOYATOVA]; Human Rights Society of Uzbekistan [Tolib YAKUBOV, chairman]; Independent Human Rights Society of Uzbekistan [Mikhail ARDZINOV, chairman]; Mazlum [leader NA]

International organisation participation:
AsDB, CIS, EAPC, EBRD, ECO, FAO, GUUAM, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt (signatory), ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, Interpol, IOC, ISO, ITU, MIGA, NAM, OIC, OPCW, OSCE, PFP, SCO, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTO (observer)

Diplomatic representation in the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Abdulaziz KAMILOV
chancery: 1746 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20036
telephone: [1] (202) 293-6803
FAX: [1] (202) 293-6804
consulate(s) general: New York

Diplomatic representation from the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Jon PURNELL
embassy: 82 Chilanzarskaya, Tashkent 700115
mailing address: use embassy street address
telephone: [998] (71) 120-5450
FAX: [998] (71) 120-6335

Flag description:
three equal horizontal bands of blue (top), white and green separated by red fimbriations with a white crescent moon and 12 white stars in the upper hoist-side quadrant

Economy

Overview:
Uzbekistan is a dry, landlocked country of which 11% consists of intensely cultivated, irrigated river valleys. More than 60% of its population lives in densely populated rural communities. Uzbekistan is now the world's second-largest cotton exporter, a large producer of gold and oil, and a regionally significant producer of chemicals and machinery. Following independence in December 1991, the government sought to prop up its Soviet-style command economy with subsidies and tight controls on production and prices. Uzbekistan responded to the negative external conditions generated by the Asian and Russian financial crises by emphasizing import substitute industrialisation and by tightening export and currency controls within its already largely closed economy. The government, while aware of the need to improve the investment climate, sponsors measures that often increase, not decrease, the government's control over business decisions. A sharp increase in the inequality of income distribution has hurt the lower ranks of society since independence. In 2003, the government accepted the obligations of Article VIII under the International Monetary Fund (IMF), providing for full currency convertibility. However, strict currency controls and tightening of borders have lessened the effects of convertibility and have also led to some shortages that have further stifled economic activity.

GDP: purchasing power parity - $47.59 billion (2004 est.)

GDP - real growth rate: 4.4% (2004 est.)

GDP - per capita: purchasing power parity - $1,800 (2004 est.)

GDP - composition by sector:
agriculture: 38%
industry: 26.3%
services: 35.7% (2003 est.)

Labour force: 14.64 million (2004 est.)

Labour force - by occupation: agriculture 44%, industry 20%, services 36% (1995)

Unemployment rate: 0.6% officially, plus another 20% underemployed (2004 est.)

Population below poverty line: 28% (2004 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share:
lowest 10%: 3.6%
highest 10%: 22% (2000)

Distribution of family income - Gini index: 44.7 (1998)

Inflation rate (consumer prices): 3% (2004 est.)

Budget:
revenues: $2.457 billion
expenditures: $2.482 billion, including capital expenditures of NA (2004 est.)

Public debt: 41.5% of GDP (2004 est.)

Agriculture - products: cotton, vegetables, fruits, grain; livestock

Industries: textiles, food processing, machine building, metallurgy, gold petroleum, natural gas, chemicals

Industrial production growth rate: 6.2% (2003 est.)

Electricity - production: 47.7 billion kWh (2002)

Electricity - consumption: 46.66 billion kWh (2002)

Electricity - exports: 4.5 billion kWh (2002)

Electricity - imports: 6.8 billion kWh (2002)

Oil - production: 143,300 bbl/day (2004 est.)

Oil - consumption: 142,000 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Oil - exports: NA

Oil - imports: NA

Oil - proved reserves: 297 million bbl (1 January 2002)

Natural gas - production: 63.1 billion cu m (2001 est.)

Natural gas - consumption: 45.2 billion cu m (2001 est.)

Natural gas - exports: 17.9 billion cu m (2001 est.)

Natural gas - imports: 0 cu m (2001 est.)

Natural gas - proved reserves: 937.3 billion cu m (1 January 2002)

Current account balance: $461.9 million (2004 est.)

Exports: $3.7 billion f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Exports - commodities:
cotton 41.5%, gold 9.6%, energy products 9.6%, mineral fertilizers, ferrous metals, textiles, food products, automobiles (1998 est.)

Exports - partners:
Russia 21.2%, China 14%, Ukraine 7%, Turkey 6.3%, Tajikistan 5.8%, Bangladesh 4.2% (2004)

Imports: $2.82 billion f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Imports - commodities:
machinery and equipment 49.8%, foodstuffs 16.4%, chemicals, metals (1998 est.)

Imports - partners:
Russia 26.4%, South Korea 10.8%, Germany 9.4%, China 8.3%, Kazakhstan 6%, Turkey 6% (2004)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold: $1.603 billion (2004 est.)

Debt - external: $4.351 billion (2004 est.)

Economic aid - recipient: $87.4 million from the US (2003)

Currency (code): Uzbekistani sum (UZS)

Exchange rates:
Uzbekistani sums per US dollar - 1,020 (2004), 971.265 (2003), 771.03 (2001), 423.832 (2001), 236.61 (2000)

Fiscal year: calendar year

Communications

Telephones - main lines in use: 1,717,100 (2003)

Telephones - mobile cellular: 320,800 (2003)

Telephone system:
general assessment: antiquated and inadequate; in serious need of modernisation
domestic: the domestic telephone system is being expanded and technologically improved, particularly in Tashkent (Toshkent) and Samarqand, under contracts with prominent companies in industrialised countries; moreover, by 1998, six cellular networks had been placed in operation - four of the GSM type (Global System for Mobile Communication), one D-AMPS type (Digital Advanced Mobile Phone System), and one AMPS type (Advanced Mobile Phone System)
international: country code - 998; linked by landline or microwave radio relay with CIS member states and to other countries by leased connection via the Moscow international gateway switch; after the completion of the Uzbek link to the Trans-Asia-Europe (TAE) fiber-optic cable, Uzbekistan will be independent of Russian facilities for international communications; Inmarsat also provides an international connection, albeit an expensive one; satellite earth stations - NA (1998)

Radio broadcast stations: AM 20, FM 7, shortwave 10 (1998)

Television broadcast stations:
4 (plus two repeaters that relay Russian programs), 1 cable rebroadcaster in Tashkent; approximately 20 stations in regional capitals (2003)

Internet country code: .uz

Internet hosts: 1,040 (2003)

Internet users: 492,000 (2003)

Transportation

Railways:
total: 3,950 km
broad gauge: 3,950 km 1.520-m gauge (620 km electrified) (2004)

Highways:
total: 81,600 km
paved: 71,237 km
unpaved: 10,363 km (1999 est.)

Waterways: 1,100 km (2004)

Pipelines: gas 9,149 km; oil 869 km; refined products 33 km (2004)

Ports and harbours: Termiz (Amu Darya)

Airports: 226 (2004 est.)

Airports - with paved runways:
total: 33
over 3,047 m: 5
2,438 to 3,047 m: 14
1,524 to 2,437 m: 5
914 to 1,523 m: 5
under 914 m: 4 (2004 est.)

Airports - with unpaved runways:
total: 193
2,438 to 3,047 m: 2
1,524 to 2,437 m: 2
914 to 1,523 m: 2
under 914 m: 187 (2004 est.)

Military

Military branches: Army, Air and Air Defense Forces, National Guard

Military manpower - military age and obligation:
18 years of age for compulsory military service; conscript service obligation - 12 months (2004)

Military manpower - availability:
males age 18-49: 6,340,220 (2005 est.)

Military manpower - fit for military service:
males age 18-49: 4,609,621 (2005 est.)

Military manpower - reaching military age annually:
males: 324,722 (2005 est.)

Military expenditures - dollar figure: $200 million (FY97)

Military expenditures - percent of GDP: 2% (FY97)

Transnational Issues

Disputes - international:
cotton monoculture in Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan creates water-sharing difficulties for Amu Darya river states; delimitation with Kazakhstan complete with demarcation underway; delimitation is underway with Kyrgyzstan but serious disputes around enclaves and elsewhere continue to mar progress for some 130 km of border; talks continue with Tajikistan to delimit border and remove minefields

Refugees and internally displaced persons:
IDPs: 3,000 (forced population transfers by government from villages near Tajikistan border) (2004)

Illicit drugs:
transit country for Afghan narcotics bound for Russian and, to a lesser extent, Western European markets; limited illicit cultivation of cannabis and small amounts of opium poppy for domestic consumption; poppy cultivation almost wiped out by government crop eradication program; transit point for heroin precursor chemicals bound for Afghanistan