Rapprochement in Central Asia

– After a 25-year break, fractious Central Asian neighbours Tajikistan and Uzbekistan have reestablished regular connecting flights, a spokesperson at Tajikistan’s international airport said yesterday, paving the way for improved relations.

Uzbekistan first banned flights from Tajikistan in 1992 after the outbreak of civil war in its smaller neighbour. The ban remained after the war’s end, as long-reigning autocrats Emomali Rakhmon of Tajikistan and Islam Karimov of Uzbekistan regularly clashed over water and other issues. – AFP