27.01.2023

The President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev and the President of the Kyrgyz Republic Sadyr Japarov continued talks in an extended format with members of official delegations, heads of ministries and regions of the two countries.

Expressing his deep gratitude for a warm welcome and hospitality, the President of Uzbekistan pointed out that Uzbekistan sincerely welcomes the successful socio-economic reforms undertaken in Kyrgyzstan under the leadership of President Sadyr Japarov.

It was noted with satisfaction that the bilateral relations between Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan are developing dynamically. The top-level contacts have acquired a systemic and intensive character, which has considerably strengthened interaction, identified new growth points and expanded practical cooperation.

The sides expressed firm commitment and willingness to jointly deepen the bilateral strategic partnership. It was underscored that the historic Border Agreement is received with a great delight by our brotherly peoples.

A particular attention at the talks was paid to the development of trade and economic cooperation. It was noted that the mutual trade turnover reached $1,3 billion last year, with over 300 joint ventures established. The industrial cooperation projects are being implemented in various sectors of the economy. The Uzbek-Kyrgyz Development Fund has launched the financing of real projects.

A solid package of contracts worth $1,6 billion was signed during the business forum held the day before.

President Shavkat Mirziyoyev outlined the main priorities of mutually beneficial cooperation. This is, for its part, an increase in the volume and expansion of the range of mutual trade.

To this end, the sides have agreed to consider the replacement of imports from third countries with affordable products of our manufacturers, as well as the establishment of trade centers in the capitals of the two countries.

Within the framework of industrial cooperation it was suggested to work out new investment projects worth approximately $500 million. These include the production of automobiles, modern household appliances, construction materials, and joint mining and mineral processing.

Another important direction of cooperation regarding food security, the President of Uzbekistan emphasized the strengthening of cooperation in agriculture.

This will be achieved through agro-cooperation programs that envisage the launch of joint projects in intensive gardens and greenhouses, supply of potatoes, horticultural and livestock products, as well as cultivation of agricultural goods and others.

The President of Uzbekistan stressed also the importance of expanding partnerships and direct contacts between the regions of the two countries.

The interaction in transport and logistics has been defined as strategically important. An agreement has been reached to accelerate the work on the construction of China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan railroad, to fully utilize the potential of Andijan-Osh-Irkeshtam road and to establish a joint transport and logistics company for these purposes.

A particular attention at the talks was paid to cooperation in the energy sector. The need to intensify joint efforts in implementing hydropower projects, including the construction of the Kambarata-1 hydropower plant, was stressed.

The President of Uzbekistan also underscored the importance of expanding cooperation in cultural and humanitarian spheres. A number of concrete initiatives have been proposed with an aim to strengthen the ties of friendship between our peoples, who are united by shared history and religion, language and culture.

These include a broad celebration of the 95th anniversary of the outstanding Kyrgyz writer Chingiz Aytmatov, the staging of a joint performance at the opening of Osh State Academic Uzbek Music and Drama Theater named after Babur, creation of a new format - Dialogue of Generations, with the active involvement of the intelligentsia and youth, holding a student spartakiads, joint festivals and concerts, as well as creative events.