Industrial cooperation between Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan witnessed strides, with joint projects totaling $156mn already implemented and a pipeline of 21 new joint projects valued at approximately $1bn in development, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs reported.
During the bilateral negotiations held in Astana on February 19, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Kazakhstan, Murat Nurtleu, and his Uzbek counterpart, Bakhtiyor Saidov, delved into a comprehensive array of topics concerning bilateral cooperation. Priority areas including political, economic, water-energy, transit-transport, and cultural-humanitarian interactions were thoroughly discussed.
Emphasizing the profound ties between the two nations, Minister Murat Nurtleu remarked;
“Uzbekistan occupies a special place for Kazakhstan, is a reliable ally, and an important strategic partner.”
He highlighted the importance of the political will demonstrated by the leadership of both countries in fostering a robust relationship founded on brotherhood, equality, mutual respect, and trust.
The discussions reflected on the fruitful outcomes of mutual state visits between President Shavkat Mirziyoyev of Uzbekistan to Astana in December 2021 and President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev of Kazakhstan to Tashkent in December 2022. Both parties acknowledged the solid legal framework and institutional structures established to enhance bilateral cooperation, including agreements on allied relations and border demarcation signed in Tashkent in 2022.
The establishment of the Supreme Interstate Council and the operational Council of Interparliamentary Cooperation underscored the commitment to a multifaceted partnership. Plans for the creation of a Council of Foreign Ministers further exemplify the ambition to deepen diplomatic ties.
Economic collaboration featured prominently in the discussions, with Kazakhstan emerging as one of Uzbekistan's top three trading partners. The ministers aimed to elevate mutual trade to $10bn, with a particular focus on the International Center for Industrial Cooperation "Central Asia" on the Kazakh-Uzbek border, poised to facilitate trade, economic, and investment ties.
Industrial cooperation between Kazkahstan and Uzbekistan witnessed strides, with joint projects totaling $156mn already implemented and a pipeline of 21 new joint projects valued at approximately $1bn in development.
Transport and logistics, energy, and water resources were identified as key areas for intensified cooperation, alongside efforts to strengthen cultural and humanitarian bonds. Initiatives such as the establishment of university branches and joint research endeavors aimed at promoting common cultural heritage underscored the commitment to nurturing enduring people-to-people connections.
The ministers reaffirmed their dedication to close collaboration on regional and international matters, pledging mutual support for the international initiatives of both states. They underscored the importance of regional cooperation within the framework of Central Asian Consultative Meetings.
The official visit also saw Minister Bakhtiyor Saidov being received by President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, further underscoring the high-level engagement characterizing the burgeoning alliance between Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan.
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