Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) – A face-to-face meeting took place at the Akorda residence between Shavkat Mirziyoyev, President of the Republic of Uzbekistan, and Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, President of the Republic of Kazakhstan.

The discussion covered current issues in Uzbek-Kazakh multifaceted cooperation.

At the beginning of the conversation, the head of our state, thanking for the warm reception, emphasized that the current state visit has historic significance and aims to elevate the strategic partnership and alliance to a qualitatively new level.

This is evidenced by the holding of the first session of the Supreme Interstate Council.

It was noted with satisfaction that, ahead of the visit, a meeting of the Intergovernmental Commission, a business forum, and several cultural events had successfully taken place. A Strategic Partnership and Alliance Program through 2034 has been prepared, and a Council led by the heads of foreign policy agencies is being established.

In recent years, trade turnover has doubled, the number of joint ventures has increased fivefold, cargo volumes are growing, and major cooperative projects are being implemented.

The need to enhance the effectiveness of contacts at the level of parliaments, governments, foreign policy, and sectoral agencies was highlighted, along with continuing mutual support within international and regional platforms, including the United Nations, WTO, Consultative Meetings of Heads of States in the region, and "Central Asia Plus" formats.

The necessity of developing close cooperation in youth policy and information space was emphasized. An agreement was reached to prepare a comprehensive Cooperation Program in this direction.

The establishment of an Interparliamentary Forum involving both chambers of the parliaments of the two countries was supported.

Special attention was given to further increasing trade turnover, primarily through mutual market formation and the substitution of imports from third countries.

In this context, the governments were instructed to adopt a separate program by the end of the month to raise trade turnover to US$10 billion.

For the development of industrial cooperation, a portfolio of new agreements and contracts worth US$7 billion has been prepared for the current summit.

These include projects in energy, transportation and logistics, metallurgy, textiles, agriculture, construction, as well as regional projects.

An agreement was reached to expedite the construction of the International Industrial Cooperation Center in Syrdarya region, including the establishment of enterprises.

To financially support major projects, the creation of a Joint Investment Fund will be explored.

Issues related to ensuring favorable conditions for transit cargo transportation, the construction of joint logistics complexes, and the development of automotive and railway routes between the two countries were discussed.

Priority was given to the prompt practical implementation of strategic regional projects, including the construction of the Kambarata HPP-1.

The Presidents emphasized the importance of further expanding interregional cooperation. An agreement was reached to transform the Forum of Regions into a Council of Regional Leaders of the two countries and to hold its first meeting in Samarkand this autumn.

The heads of state also exchanged views on regional and international issues of mutual interest.