Kyrgyz-Uzbek citizens welcome reopening of borders

Families separated by political tension between Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan are finally able to reunite after a recent thaw in relations.

Millions of Kyrgyz and Uzbek citizens are enjoying the improved relationship between their countries after years of frozen diplomacy.

Families separated by politics joyfully reunited at the recently reopened Dostyk border; for years, they hadn’t been able to see each other without a painful bureaucratic process to get permission to travel.

The two presidents came together recently in a groundbreaking meeting that led to the resolution of 85 percent of border disputes between the two countries and promises to enhance cooperation on many fronts.

This development follows the death of Uzbek President Islam Karimov last year and the coming to power of a more reform-minded successor.

Al Jazeera’s Robin Forestier-Walker reports from Karasu, the Kyrgyz-Uzbek border.