Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan Aim to Further Expand Cooperation

NUR-SULTAN, August 21, 2019 — The Head of the Foreign Ministry of the Republic of Kazakhstan Beibut Atamkulov held talks with Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Uzbekistan Abdulaziz Kamilov, who arrived in Kazakhstan to participate in the C5+1 meeting of the heads of the Central Asian and US Foreign Ministries in Nur-Sultan.

The sides noted with satisfaction the development of the political dialogue and the expansion of trade and economic cooperation between Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan. These were part of the arrangements reached during the state visit of President of the Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev to Uzbekistan on April 14-15 this year and the successful 18th meeting of the Kazakh-Uzbek Intergovernmental Commission at the level of Heads of Government on June 21 this year in Tashkent.

At the same time, Mr. Kamilov invited the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Kazakhstan to pay an official visit to Uzbekistan.

The ministers focused on creating favorable conditions for ensuring stable growth in mutual trade, which grew by 25% and amounted to $2.5 billion in 2018, as well as the implementation of large joint projects in the field of industry and transport. Bilateral trade is planned to be raised up to $5 billion over the coming years.

The importance of further strengthening cultural and humanitarian ties between the countries was noted, including the successful holding of the Year of Kazakhstan in Uzbekistan.

A wide range of issues on the regional agenda were also discussed during the meeting. The sides confirmed their interest in holding the second Consultative Meeting of the Heads of State of Central Asia.