Tashkent, 18 August 2023 (TDI): The Foreign Minister of Uzbekistan, Bakhtiyor Saidov met with the Deputy Prime Minister – Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Murat Nurtleu in Tashkent on August 17.
Both Foreign Ministers discussed the prospects of strengthening further cooperation between the two countries in various sectors to galvanize their allied relations and also signed a cooperation program for the year 2024-2025.
In the meeting, both parties admitted that the relations between Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan have reached to an unparalleled level.
In this context, attention was drawn to the Declaration on Allied Relations signed between the President of Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan last year in December.
Also read: Kazakhstan Calls for Increased Cooperation in Central Asia
During the meeting, both Foreign Ministers shed light on the hidden potential in transport connectivity between the two nations, the international transit potential of Central Asia, partnership towards food security, academic exchange and knowledge sharing, ensuring sustainable development, and maintaining regional prosperity and security.
Moreover, in the meeting, the timely implementation of all agreements reaching the highest level was acknowledged by the Foreign Ministers which included achieving $10 billion worth of bilateral trade volume between Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan.
After the meeting, the Foreign Ministers signed the Cooperation Program which is designed to cover extensive agendas in all dimensions between Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan for the year of 2024-2025, aiming at enriching bilateral ties with achievable outcomes.
Visit of the President of Kazakhstan to Uzbekistan
President of Kazakhstan, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev visited Uzbekistan in December last year. The Presidents of both countries then signed the Declaration of Allied Relations along with 15 other documents.
These documents encompassed the agreement signed between KazMunay Gas National Company and Uzbekneftegaz; the agreement on the construction of mineral fertilizers production facilities in Uzbekistan between Kazphosphate, Uzkimyosanoat and the Fertilizer company.
It also included an agreement to create the International Center for Industrial Cooperation and an agreement on cooperation in environmental protection between the Uzbek and Kazakh governments.
In addition, cooperation in the development of trade and transport corridors and joint construction facilities was discussed. As a result of the visit, in total, investment agreements and bilateral documents worth over $8 billion were signed.
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