An official welcoming ceremony for Kassym-Zhomart Tokayev was held in Tashkent at the International Congress Center.
The leaders of the two countries received a welcome report from the head of the guard of honor company, and the national anthems of Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan were played. Kassym-Jomart Tokayev and Shavkat Mirziyoyev introduced the members of official delegations to each other.
Then the presidents of the two countries held talks in a narrow format. Kassym-Jomart Tokayev thanked Shavkat Mirziyoyev for his hospitality and noted the importance of today's state visit to Uzbekistan.
"We are interested in further strengthening cooperation with Uzbekistan. From time immemorial, Kazakhs and Uzbeks have been fraternal peoples united by unbreakable friendship and mutual respect. We are connected by a common culture, traditions, languages and religion. Our countries with a common history and destiny have common goals and development prospects "Therefore, I attach particular importance to today's visit. I am sure that we will bring our relations to a qualitatively new level. The stronger and more successful cooperation between our countries, the more stable the situation in Central Asia will be," the President of Kazakhstan said.
The head of state said that he had read the recent message of President Shavkat Mirziyoyev. In his opinion, this key document opens up new prospects for the development and progress of Uzbekistan.
In turn, Shavkat Mirziyoyev congratulated the head of our state on his victory in the presidential elections and expressed gratitude for accepting the invitation to pay a state visit to Uzbekistan. According to him, the current visit of Kassym-Jomart Tokayev will give a new impetus to the development of relations between the two countries, and the signed documents will become a solid basis for the implementation of specific tasks.
During the meeting, the heads of state discussed key issues of the Kazakh-Uzbek strategic partnership, paying special attention to expanding cooperation in the political, trade, economic, cultural and humanitarian spheres.
Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan are the largest trading partners in Central Asia. At the end of the current year, the volume of mutual trade increased by 35% and approached $5 billion, which became possible due to the implementation of a number of joint projects in the fields of industry, engineering, logistics, transport, and energy.
The parties also discussed topical issues of the international and regional agenda.
During the talks, the leaders of the two states agreed to establish the Supreme Interstate Council and the Inter-Parliamentary Council, which will further strengthen the political platform for bilateral cooperation.
At the end of the meeting in a narrow format, Kassym-Zhomart Tokayev and Shavkat Mirziyoyev held talks with the participation of official delegations of the two states.
The presidents paid priority attention to strengthening trade and economic cooperation, including increasing mutual trade, attracting investments, developing cooperation in the fields of industry, pharmaceuticals, agriculture, construction, transit potential and transport logistics. Interaction in the educational, cultural and humanitarian spheres was also discussed.
The President of Kazakhstan highly appreciated the results of the recent talks in a narrow format and expressed his firm commitment to the comprehensive deepening of bilateral cooperation in the spirit of friendship, good neighborliness and mutual support.
Kassym-Jomart Tokayev said that our countries have built strong and harmonious relations, which today serve as a model of interstate partnership.
"Confirmation of the exemplary nature of our interstate relations will be the signing of the Treaty on Allied Relations. If we call the Treaty a document of historical significance, I think this will not be an exaggeration. This breakthrough document opens up new horizons for us and fully reflects the mutual desire of the two countries to further rapprochement "In addition, the Treaty on the demarcation of the Kazakh-Uzbek state border will be signed today. This historic Agreement completely completes the international legal registration of the state border of Kazakhstan on its southern borders," the President of Kazakhstan stressed.
The head of state stressed that joint efforts to strengthen allied relations also make a significant contribution to ensuring sustainable growth, stability and security throughout Central Asia.
During the talks, the leaders of the two states also agreed to establish the Supreme Interstate Council and the Inter-Parliamentary Council, which will further strengthen the political platform for bilateral cooperation.
Kassym-Jomart Tokayev noted that the parties fruitfully interact within the framework of various international structures and mechanisms. Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan have a common vision and similar views on many issues of the regional and international agenda.
In turn, Shavkat Mirziyoyev noted the fruitfulness of the negotiations in a narrow format, the growth of trade and the successful implementation of joint projects.
"Your state visit once again confirms how strong our centuries-old ties of friendship, good neighborliness and mutual support are. The history and destinies of our peoples are closely intertwined, our countries have deep common roots, together we solve pressing issues," the President of Uzbekistan said.
The interlocutors also positively assessed the strengthening of cultural and humanitarian ties. The cross days of culture of Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan were successfully passed, which enriched the common spiritual and cultural values of the peoples. In addition, the parties discussed cooperation between the two countries in the educational field.
By the Kazakhstanskaya Pravda
