The state visit of President Shavkat Mirziyoyev to Kazakhstan is expected to raise relations between the two countries to the next level. During the visit, a declaration on Allied relations, more than 20 different agreements were reached to increase trade turnover to $10 billion.
The greatest achievement in the political sphere was the signing of a declaration on allied relations between Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan. It was noted that the Kazakh-Uzbek alliance is very important not only for the two countries, but also for stability in the region.
It is unknown at this time what he will do after leaving the post. The official release says that the document aims to fully realize the vital and long-term national interests of the fraternal peoples, the potential of multifaceted partnership.
In addition, Tokayev and Mirziyoyev agreed to establish the Supreme Interstate Council of Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan, the Interparliamentary Cooperation Council and the Council of Foreign Ministers to further strengthen the strategic partnership.
So far, Uzbekistan has only signed the Treaty on Allied Relations with the Russian Federation on November 14, 2005, but there is no information from open sources on the number of countries that Kazakhstan is officially an ally.
In an interview with Kazakh media, Shavkat Mirziyoyev said that the process of political dialogue and interstate rapprochement in Central Asia was not directed against the interests of third countries, but was open and constructive.
The biggest economic achievement of the visit was the agreement reached between Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan to increase bilateral trade to $10 billion. Achieving such a result requires the rapid development of bilateral trade relations and the liberalization of customs policy. This, in turn, is beneficial for entrepreneurs from both countries.
During the visit, it was stated that this year, bilateral trade is expected to reach a record $4 billion. A practical action plan was also signed to increase trade turnover between Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan to $10 billion over the next five years.
At the IV Uzbek-Kazakh Business Forum and the enlarged meeting of the Uzbek-Kazakh Business Council in Nur-Sultan, bilateral trade agreements on the implementation of joint projects and initiatives worth $5.9 billion were signed.
However, contrary to the statement of the Uzbek side, the National Chamber of Entrepreneurs of Kazakhstan said that 15 agreements worth $2 billion were signed within the forum, and a joint agreement worth $600 million was signed in Turkestan region.
The visit also raised the issue of creating new corridors to provide access to mutual and third-country markets. The heads of state agreed to accelerate the construction of the “Uchkuduk-Kyzylorda” railway and highway, as well as the “Turkestan-Shymkent-Tashkent” high-speed railway.
The issues of climate, rational use of water resources, afforestation in the Aral Sea region were discussed at the meeting.
According to the presidential press service of Kazakhstan, the following documents were signed by the presidential delegates and officials.
- On the exchange of persons deprived of their liberty between Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan;
- Agreement between the Governments of Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan on cooperation in reporting and response to emergencies;
- Agreement between the Governments of Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan on the peaceful use of space and research;
- On joint customs control between the governments of Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan in the movement of energy resources across the border;
- Program of cooperation between the Ministries of Foreign Affairs of the two countries for 2022-2023;
- The concept of creating an international center of industrial cooperation “Central Asia”;
- Joint action plan for the establishment of the International Center for Industrial Cooperation “Central Asia”;
- Joint plan for the implementation of the project for the construction of “Turkestan-Shymkent-Tashkent” high-speed railway;
- Joint plan for the implementation of the project for the construction of “Uchkuduk-Kyzylorda” railways and highways for 2021-2025;
- Memorandum of Understanding between the Ministry of Trade and Integration of Kazakhstan and the Ministry of Investment and Foreign Trade of Uzbekistan;
- Memorandum of Understanding between the Ministries of Energy of the two countries in the field of energy;
- Memorandum of Understanding between the Ministries of Justice of the two countries on cooperation in the field of forensics;
- Memorandum of Understanding between the Ministries of Labor of the two countries on cooperation in the social and labor sphere;
- Agreement on the main terms of direct foreign direct investment in Uzbekistan;
- Memorandums were signed on the main terms of cooperation in the joint implementation of projects.
The roadmaps for 2022-2023 to expand cooperation between the khokimiyats of Tashkent and Turkestan regions, the cities of Tashkent and Nur-Sultan, Navoi and Kyzylorda regions were also adopted.
During the visit, the Presidents also took part in the opening of the newly built building of the Embassy of Uzbekistan in Nur-Sultan. A few years ago, the building of the Kazakh Embassy in Tashkent was rebuilt.
Shavkat Mirziyoyev also visited the Digital Government Office in Nur Sultan. The ICT Minister Sherzod Shermatov told Kun.uz that during the visit an agreement was reached with a number of Kazakh IT companies to open branches in Uzbekistan.
In general, the issue of raising cooperation between Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan to the level of alliance and further enhancing economic ties was warmly welcomed by the general public.
