Almaty (TDI): Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev arrived in Almaty, Kazakhstan on Saturday for a working visit, where he was warmly welcomed by Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev.
In tribute to President Mirziyoyev’s arrival, a guard of honor was lined up, and the national flags were raised.
Both presidents held an informal meeting in Almaty, and conducted in-depth discussions on further strengthening Uzbek-Kazakh ties in the spirit of good neighborliness, strategic collaboration, and alliance at the delegation-level meeting.
At the beginning of the meeting, the leaders sincerely congratulated each other and the fraternal peoples of Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan on the spring festival of Navruz and the upcoming Eid al-Fitr.
They expressed special satisfaction with the current highest level of multifaceted cooperation between the two countries.
Active contacts are being maintained at all levels between Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan.
Trade turnover has increased by 14 percent since the beginning of the current year, and an investment project portfolio worth over $4 billion has been formed.
Moreover, close interregional relations and cultural-humanitarian exchanges are increasing.
Two Presidents listened to reports from the Deputy Prime Ministers of Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan on steps being taken to expand mutual trade and promote cooperative projects in major industries such as mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, oil and gas, textiles, agriculture, and other priority fields.
They gave specific instructions to develop a long-term industrial collaboration program and accelerate the implementation of regional infrastructure projects.
They stressed the significance of launching practical work on the International Center for Industrial Cooperation this year and expanding the activities of the joint foreign trade company.
The Leaders also discussed regional issues, including preparations for the upcoming Central Asian Summits, which will be held in Uzbekistan in the coming months.
Furthermore, the schedule of upcoming bilateral and multilateral events was reviewed.
The high-level meeting took place in a traditionally friendly and businesslike atmosphere.
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After the fruitful meeting, the two leaders also visited the high-mountain cluster “Medeu.”
President Mirziyoyev was introduced to the history and architectural features of the Medeu dam, constructed at an altitude of 1,750 meters above sea level to protect against mudslides.
A “Stairway to Health,” consisting of 842 steps, leads to the top of the Medeu dam.
In 2011, a 4.5-kilometer-long cable car was installed near the dam, linking it to the Shymbulak Ski Resort.
The Medeu Sports Complex, built in 1972, is located at an altitude of 1,700 meters above sea level.
Its ice field covers an area of 10,500 square meters and can accommodate up to three thousand people.
Annually, over 400,000 residents and guests of Almaty visit the complex.
Currently, the complex functions as a sports, tourism, and cultural hub.
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It regularly hosts sports competitions, mass ice-skating events, cultural activities, and festivals.
In 2011, it hosted competitions of the Seventh Asian Winter Games, and in 2017 – events of the World Winter Universiade.
The two leaders jointly watched exhibition performances by young figure skaters.
