Sadyr Japarov comments on lease of four resorts by Uzbekistan
President of Kyrgyzstan Sadyr Japarov, in another interview with Kabar news agency, commented on the lease of four resorts in Issyk-Kul region to Uzbekistan for 49 years.
According to the head of state, in 2016, Temir Sariev, as prime minister, took «a populist step, returning the resorts to the jurisdiction of our country.»
«It was necessary to study archival documents, measure seven times and cut off once. In particular, to take the resorts away, if we would not have lost the case in the international court. In the same year, the Uzbek side filed a lawsuit in Washington court for $65 million. In 2017, Sapar Isakov sent a letter to the Uzbek side: «Let’s resolve the issue peacefully, we will return four resorts to you, and you will withdraw the claim from the international court.» They didn’t withdraw it.
Recently, in May, the international court ruled that we must pay more than $40 million (The decision is confidential and not subject to disclosure. — Note of 24.kg news agency).
We replied that we would not be able to pay such amount of money. In return, we offered the Uzbek side to rent these four resorts for 49 years and build four- and five-star hotels there. If you now look at the state of these resorts, you can say that these are stables. We will not be able to invest money in these resorts for the next 15-20 years, because we cannot patch up other holes,» Sadyr Japarov said.
He noted that no one will buy these resorts for $4 million not to mention $40 million. «It is short-sightedness to offer these resorts for 5-10 years. It will take 5-10 years to build four- and five-star hotels. What state would want to build something that would not bring profit?» the president added.
Recall, four resorts: Dilorom (Enesai), Zolotiye Peski (Bosteri), Rokhat (Altyn-Zhai) and Buston will be leased out to Uzbekistan for a long time.
Earlier, by decision of the Prime Minister Temir Sariev in April 2016, four resorts located in the territory of the Kyrgyz Republic (Zolotiye Peski, Rohat NBU, Dilorom and Boston), were transferred under the jurisdiction of the country. Uzbekistan filed a lawsuit. The neighboring country believes that the agreement between the states of the former USSR dated 1992 on the use of objects that after the collapse of the Union ended up on the territory of another republic has been violated. It was reported in December 2017 that the issue was settled. For this purpose, the government proposed to conclude an agreement with the Cabinet of Ministers of the Republic of Uzbekistan.
According to the new document, the lands of the resorts were to remain the property of Kyrgyzstan, and the property would once again be returned to the ownership of the Uzbek side. At the same time, the neighbors, after formalizing the ownership of the property, undertook to bring the resorts to the level of three or four stars with possible year-round operation. After signing the agreement, Uzbekistan had to withdraw the claim from international arbitration.
Consideration of the dispute in the International Center for Dispute Resolution ended in May 2023. It is reported that the judge issued a ruling. There is also a dissenting opinion by the arbitrator Zachary Douglas. The Center for Judicial Representation told 24.kg news agency that the dispute has indeed been terminated. But the parties agreed not to disclose the decision yet. Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan have signed confidentiality documents. Therefore, none of the parties today can comment on the results of the arbitration proceedings.
