08.08.2024

The first meeting of the High-level Inter-state Council was held in the Akorda Residence under the chairmanship of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev and the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev.

The Head of our state, expressing gratitude to the Leader and people of Kazakhstan for the warm welcome, stressed that today is a special day in the history of Uzbek-Kazakh cooperation.

- Today we are holding the first meeting of the High-level Inter-state Council, which is a historic event in developing the relations of strategic partnership and alliance between our countries, - said Shavkat Mirziyoyev.

It was particularly noted that in recent years the Uzbek-Kazakh relations have acquired a high dynamic.

In preparation for the visit, meetings of the Inter-Governmental Commission and the Business Council, a business forum, political consultations, forums of analytical centers and intellectual games have been successfully held. Film days, exhibitions, concerts and many other events are being held.

The Leaders of the two countries welcomed the adoption of the historic Strategic Partnership and Alliance Program for 2024-2034, which marks the beginning of a new qualitative stage in the Uzbek-Kazakh relations of friendship and good neighborliness.

During the meeting, the Head of our state identified a number of priority tasks.

The importance of coordination of positions and the effective promotion of common interests within international structures was emphasized above all.

An agreement was reached to increase the effectiveness of contacts, establish an Inter-parliamentary forum, and continue the close work of the Expert Council.

The opportunities of bringing trade turnover to US $10 billion in the coming years were discussed in detail. For this purpose, a separate Program will be adopted before the end of the month. Special attention will be paid to the mutual formation of markets and the elimination of existing restrictions.

The Leader of our state pointed to the need for a new industrial cooperation strategy.

The parties welcomed the signing of a solid package of agreements worth US $7 billion following the business forum and meetings held on the eve.

The cooperation is in the fields of energy, logistics, construction, chemical, electrical engineering, textile, agro-industrial and other industries.

An agreement was reached to accelerate the launch of the International Industrial Cooperation Centre and to work on the establishment of a Joint Fund for financial support of promising projects.

The interaction between regions that are real drivers of economic cooperation was identified as an important area of the strategic partnership.

It was decided to transform the Forum into a Council of Regions, with the inclusion of all regions and central cities, and hold its first meeting in autumn in Samarkand. Governments were instructed to approve the schedule of mutual visits between regions to reach specific agreements.

Readiness expressed to joint implementation of projects on construction of power capacity and infrastructure, and development of alternative energy sources. Preparation of major regional projects, especially the construction of the Kambarata HPS, will be accelerated.

In the field of transport and transit, an agreement was reached to work on projects for the construction of new transport corridors between the two countries engaging business circles. In addition, the importance of strengthening work on modern logistics infrastructure was stressed.

A common approach to water management in the region was noted. Work will continue on the establishment of a reliable legal framework, automation and digitization of water management facilities.

Special attention was paid to the development of exchanges in the fields of culture, education, youth and tourism.

- Days of Uzbek cinema, exhibitions, festivals and concerts are held in Astana these days. The successful intellectual game “Zakovat” was held. Such events bring our young people closer together and make them more aware of the common history and values, - emphasized the Head of our state.

The Cultural and Humanitarian Cooperation Action Plan for 2024-2025 will also serve this purpose.

In the field of education, today the activities of branches of leading universities in two countries will be launched - Tashkent Institute of Irrigation and Agricultural Mechanization Engineers in Almaty and Mukhtar Auezov South Kazakhstan University in Chirchik.

The Leader of our country also expressed gratitude to the President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev for the initiative to open a monument to the great son of the Uzbek people, poet and thinker Alisher Navoi in Astana.

The parties reaffirmed their commitment to deepening integration and cooperation in Central Asia. The Consultative Meeting was noted as an effective mechanism for joint action on regional issues and the formulation of a long-term regional agenda.

Readiness was expressed to maintain a close and open dialogue within the framework of the United Nations, the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, the Organization of Turkic States, the International Fund for Saving the Aral Sea and other structures.

At the end of the talks, Shavkat Mirziyoyev invited Kassym-Jomart Tokayev to visit Uzbekistan for the second meeting of the High-level Inter-state Council.

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