Here is an interesting article by IWPR about the cross-border problems that occur in Fergana valley - the region divided between three states (Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan). Tajikistan always had relatively good relations with its neighbor Kyrgyzstan but seems like it is not going to last any longer. There is a problem which is very difficult to solve. The water problem.

After the long and harsh winter came a very warm spring and people in the densely populated Fergana valley started cultivating the ground. Here appeared the problem.

The incident began on the evening of March 26 on the border of Kyrgyzstan’s southern Batken district and Isfara in Tajikistan. About 150 Tajiks, accompanied by their district government chief and police officers crossed what, according to Kyrgyzstan at least, is the border.

Equipped with a digger, they proceeded to try to destroy a dam that was blocking an irrigation canal that feeds the land around the Tajik village of Hoja Alo as well as areas on the Kyrgyz side.

You all know the problem with these borders in the Fergana valley. There is only one definition for it – mess. I think it will be a long lasting problem that will not let the neighboring Central Asia countries have good relations. Therefore they will never be able to integrate into a Union, similar to European one, which is vital for all the countries in this area. And it means that this region will always be an unstable region.