Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan conclude bilateral WTO accession talks

11:152562 min

Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan have agreed to conclude bilateral negotiations on mutual market access as part of Uzbekistan’s accession to the World Trade Organization (WTO). The agreement is expected to be formalized in a protocol to be signed in the coming weeks.

Photo: AFP

Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan conclude bilateral WTO accession talks — Photo: AFP

The agreement was reached on October 15, Azizbek Urunov, the Special Representative of the President of Uzbekistan on WTO Affair, announced.

According to Urunov, the negotiations began in February at Kazakhstan’s initiative and continued for eight months.

“While challenging, they were conducted in a constructive spirit, reflecting our shared commitment to strengthening bilateral economic relations,” Urunov said.

He thanked his Kazakh counterparts for their consistent efforts and commitment to cooperation, and praised Uzbekistan’s WTO accession negotiating team for its hard work, professionalism and determination.

Urunov also expressed gratitude to Deputy Prime Minister Jamshid Khojayev and Head of the Presidential Administration Saida Mirziyoyeva for their support in reaching the agreement.

Uzbekistan’s WTO accession process is approaching its final stage. Once the necessary domestic procedures have been completed, the two countries plan to sign the agreed protocol in the coming weeks.