The President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev and the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev shared their assessments of the results of the negotiations at a meeting with the media.
The Head of Uzbekistan noted with deep satisfaction that thanks to joint systematic and practical efforts, it was possible to raise the Uzbek-Kazakh cooperation to the highest level of allied relations.
– We have opened a new page in our multifaceted relationship – held the first meeting of the High-level Inter-state Council. This format reflects the highest level of inter-state cooperation and demonstrates the close ties between our countries and peoples, and their firm determination to strengthen cooperation in all areas.
The negotiations considered the establishment of an Inter-parliamentary forum with the participation of both houses of parliament. It was decided to establish another new format of cooperation – the Council of Foreign Ministers.
Specific agreements were reached on further deepening cooperation in the fields of trade, industrial cooperation, energy, transport, agriculture and water management, and culture.
The Joint Statement was signed and the Strategic Partnership and Alliance Program for 2024-2034, aimed at further strengthening comprehensive cooperation was adopted.
The negotiations focused on enhancing interregional linkages. The Leaders took the initiative to transform the Interregional Cooperation Forum into a Council of Heads of Regions, involving all regions of the two countries.
The signing of contracts and agreements worth US $7 billion in the previous business forum and business meetings is noted with satisfaction.
Before the end of the month, a comprehensive program will be adopted, aimed at a drastic increase in trade turnover. The parties also decided to accelerate the construction of the International Industrial Cooperation Centre for the development and implementation of new investment projects.
In addition, the establishment of an Uzbek-Kazakh investment fund will be worked out to finance joint projects in priority areas.
The expansion of cooperation in transport and logistics was high on the agenda. Concrete measures to create the most favorable conditions for increasing freight volumes, accelerating construction and modernization of roads and railways were discussed.
Another strategic direction is food security. Specific agreements on the cultivation and delivery of agricultural products in the territory of the two countries were reached.
An agreement was reached to continue close cooperation on the sharing of transboundary water resources.
Special attention is given to strengthening the interaction in the fields of culture, youth, tourism, science, education and sport.
In advance and as part of a visit to the capital of Kazakhstan, Days of Uzbek Cinema, concerts, exhibitions, festivals, intellectual games and other events were successfully held.
The parties expressed their readiness to organize cross-cultural days, joint film festivals, and concerts of artists from two countries in the next year.
During the visit, the activities of branches of leading higher education institutions in Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan were launched.
The Head of our state expressed gratitude to President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev and in his name all the fraternal people of Kazakhstan for the establishment of a monument to the great son of the Uzbek people, poet and thinker Alisher Navoi in the center of Astana.
The parties will continue to support each other’s initiatives within regional and international fora, including the United Nations, SCO, CIS, Organization of Turkic States, Conference on Interaction and Confidence Building Measures in Asia, and “Central Asia plus” formats.
It was particularly noted that the upcoming Consultative Meeting of the Heads of States of Central Asia tomorrow in the city of Astana will give a powerful impulse to economic integration and rapid development of the whole region.
In conclusion, Shavkat Mirziyoyev expressed confidence that the outcome of the state visit and the agreements reached will contribute to the comprehensive strengthening of relations of friendship and good-neighborliness, strategic partnership and alliance between Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan.