The document, signed on July 30 after talks between President Shavkat Mirziyoyev and Kyrgyz President Sadyr Japarov, amends the Agreement on Mutual Travel of Citizens concluded by the governments of Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan on October 3, 2006. The exchange of bilateral documents took place in the presence of the two heads of state.
According to Uzbekistan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the protocol is intended to further liberalize the mutual travel regime by easing rules governing citizens' stay in the other country. It represents another step toward facilitating the free movement of people, expanding cross-border cooperation, and promoting tourism, trade and humanitarian ties.
Under the new provisions, citizens of both Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan will be exempt from the requirement to obtain permanent or temporary registration with the competent authorities of the host country during the first 15 days after crossing the state border.
The Foreign Ministry noted that, under current Kyrgyz legislation, Uzbek citizens are required to register with the country's internal affairs authorities within five days of arrival. Once the protocol enters into force, that period will be extended to 15 days.
