by Semanur Öncü
Abstract
The Fergana Valley, located in the centre of Central Asia and shared by Tajikistan, Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan, is of great importance to all countries in the region. Although there are water resources in this valley, the water of the Syr-Darya and Amu Darya rivers, which are important rivers of the Aral Basin, is not shared equally among the countries, which leads to problems between the countries of the Fergana region. The tendency of Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan to use water resources as leverage leads to tensions in the region. In addition, extreme religious movements in the Ferghana Valley worry all countries in the region. The border policy pursued by the Soviet Union poses problems for the countries in the region that they have not yet been able to overcome. This study examines the problems arising from the Fergana Valley, the impact of these problems and the relations between the countries of the region and foreign powers.
Keywords: Fergana Valley, water sharing, border security
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