The heads of state identified priorities for the further development of Uzbek-Kyrgyz cooperation

The President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev and the President of the Kyrgyz Republic Sadyr Japarov continued negotiations in an expanded format with the participation of official delegations of the two countries, the press service of the head of our state reports.

It was noted that in preparation for the current summit, a meeting of the Intergovernmental Commission, a business forum, a Rectors’ Forum, a Dialogue of Generations and a number of cultural events were successfully held.

The results of joint work in key areas were critically analyzed – trade, industrial cooperation, energy, transport, agriculture and water management, security, culture and others.

During the negotiations, the parties agreed to continue intensive contacts at the level of parliaments, governments, ministries, departments and regions, business, expert and public circles. A decision was made to create an Interstate Council.

The need to continue close interaction within the framework of international and regional structures, including the UN, SCO, the Organization of Turkic States, the Consultative Meeting of the Heads of State of Central Asia and other multilateral platforms was noted.

Specific measures to increase trade turnover were discussed, primarily through import substitution programs and support for cooperation projects.

For these purposes, during the visit, a program to increase the volume of mutual trade is adopted. In addition, trading houses will be created in two capitals, a portfolio of export-import contracts will be formed to reach $2 billion in the coming years, pre-export financing instruments will be introduced, and a “green corridor” will be launched for the accelerated transportation of agricultural and livestock products.

It was noted that the portfolio of active industrial cooperation projects has already reached $300 million. As part of the business forum that took place the day before, a new package of trade contracts and investment agreements was adopted in the field of energy, logistics, electrical engineering, textile, agro-industrial and other industries.

To promote such projects, the authorized capital of the Uzbek-Kyrgyz Fund will be increased to $200 million.

Cooperation in the energy sector has been identified as a strategic direction.

The importance of signing the agreement as soon as possible and starting the practical phase of the Kambarata HPP-1 construction project was noted. Also, taking into account the potential of the two countries, prepare a comprehensive cooperation program for the development of small hydropower.

The need to intensify joint efforts to strengthen transport connectivity in the region was emphasized.

A historic event in this direction was the signing of a trilateral Agreement on the strategic project for the construction of the ‘‘China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan’’ railway.

Prospective transport projects were also discussed at the meeting.

It was noted that the real drivers of trade and economic cooperation are the regions of the two countries. In this context, an agreement was reached to continue active contacts within the framework of the Council of Khokims of Border Regions, chaired by the Prime Ministers.

It was agreed to prepare a schedule of mutual visits of regional delegations and update joint road maps.

An important area of ​​cooperation has been identified in the sphere of agriculture. We are talking about the implementation of an agricultural cooperation program, which provides for the joint cultivation of crops, the creation of intensive gardens and agricultural clusters.

Active exchanges will continue in the fields of culture, youth, tourism, education, science and sports.

In this context, the successful holding on the eve of the second Forum of Rectors of Higher Educational Institutions of Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan in the city of Samarkand was noted with satisfaction.

It was agreed to prepare a calendar of cultural events for the coming years.

During the meeting, reports from the vice-premiers were heard with specific proposals on the trade and economic agenda.

Following the negotiations, the heads of state instructed to prepare a joint “road map” and establish mechanisms for the effective implementation of the agreements reached.