President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev has arrived in Kyrgyzstan on a state visit on July 30.
In Cholpon-Ata, the president of Uzbekistan will also participate in the informal Consultative Meeting of the Heads of State of Central Asia and Azerbaijan.
Here in Cholpon-Ata, Mirziyoyev held talks with President of the Kyrgyz Republic Sadyr Japarov to discuss ways to deepen the strategic partnership between Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan and elevate it to a new level.
Mirziyoyev and Japarov discussed further advancing the Uzbek-Kyrgyz comprehensive strategic partnership and expanding practical cooperation across priority areas.
In recent years, bilateral trade has increased almost tenfold, reaching $1.2 billion last year. A total of 450 joint ventures have been established, and the Development Fund continues to successfully support cooperation projects.
Fifteen flights have been launched between cities of Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan, and five bus routes are in operation.
During the talks, the two sides agreed to continue intensive contacts at the level of parliaments, governments, ministries, agencies, and regions, as well as business and expert circles. They also agreed to establish an Interstate Council.
As part of the objective of increasing bilateral trade to $2 billion in the near future, measures will be taken to increase mutual supplies through active import substitution, and trade houses and representative offices will be opened in the capitals of the two countries.
Special attention was paid to deepening industrial cooperation in priority areas. This includes joint projects in the fields of energy, geology, critical minerals, logistics, agriculture, pharmaceuticals, textiles, and other industries.
Cooperation in the energy sector was identified as a strategic direction. The need for the earliest possible signing of the agreement and the launch of the practical phase of the Kambarata HPP-1 construction project was noted.
The leaders exchanged views on the progress of the large-scale China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan railway construction project.
To strengthen transport connectivity, an agreement was reached to develop border and trade-logistics infrastructure along the railway, digitalize permit procedures, and create favorable conditions for road carriers.
It was noted that the regions of the two countries are the real drivers of trade and economic cooperation. In this context, a decision was made to hold the first Forum of Regions with the participation of all provinces of both countries by the end of the year.
Photo: president.uz
