Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) -- On 18-19 April, the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev took a state visit to Tajikistan. As a result of the high-level negotiations, a historical document was signed - the Treaty on Allied Relations, which confirmed the countries’ strong commitment to an irreversible course towards deepening the Uzbek-Tajik strategic partnership and alliance.

During the visit, a number of important events were also held, including Forums of Women and Rectors, Cinema Days of Uzbekistan, conferences of intellectuals, scientists and historians, a festival of national dishes and tourism potential, an exhibition of goods “Made in Uzbekistan”, as well as a business forum.

The current state of bilateral relations between Uzbekistan and Tajikistan clearly reflects the dynamic and progressive nature of the development of multifaceted cooperation.

Since 2017, through joint efforts the countries have managed to radically reformat their relationships, move towards mutual openness and establish active practical cooperation.

In a short period of time, the countries achieved significant results, in particular, the issue of the state border was resolved, a visa-free regime for up to 30 days was introduced for mutual trips of citizens of the two countries, 17 checkpoints resumed full-scale activities, the status of co-chairmen of the Uzbek-Tajik Intergovernmental Commission on Trade -Economic Cooperation was raised to the level of Prime Ministers.

These achievements contributed to the significant and rapid development of trade and economic relations between countries. Thus, the volume of bilateral trade has increased threefold over the past eight years, exceeding US$750 million in 2023, and since the beginning of the year has grown by another 40%. At the same time, in the coming years it is planned to increase trade turnover to US$2 billion.

At the same time, the high dynamics of economic cooperation between countries is manifested not only in a multiple increase in mutual trade, but also in the intensification of the creation of joint ventures in various sectors of the economy. Thus, the number of joint projects operating in both countries, which was only 17 in 2017, today exceeds 370.

As an example of successfully functioning joint projects in Tajikistan, we can cite the enterprises for the production of yarn and finished textile products “Zelal-teks”, for the production of household appliances “Artel” and for the assembly and commissioning of special municipal and construction transport “Talco-Krantas”.

It should be noted that in March of this year, the 11th meeting of the joint Intergovernmental Commission on Trade and Economic Cooperation was held in Dushanbe, which determined specific programs and projects for the development of industrial cooperation, areas of cooperation in the fields of agriculture, energy and water resources, transport, digital technologies and others.

During the meeting, an agreement was reached on the signing of an Intergovernmental Agreement on the conditions of operation of the Uzbekistan-Tajikistan industrial and trade zone, accelerating the implementation of a project for the joint construction of two hydroelectric power stations on the Zarafshan River, which will contribute to the further expansion and deepening of multifaceted bilateral economic cooperation.

Particularly noteworthy are the documents signed during the visit of the President of Uzbekistan to the city of Dushanbe, which open up new prospects for economic cooperation.

Agreements on cooperation in the field of industry and the protection of industrial property, Protocols on amendments and additions to agreements on checkpoints across the State border, international road and air traffic, “road maps” of cooperation between the regions of the two countries and other documents will raise the partnership of the two countries to a new level level of interaction, which, without any doubt, fully meets the fundamental interests of the two fraternal peoples.

In general, the current historic visit has become proof of the desire of Uzbekistan and Tajikistan to consistently strengthen their multifaceted partnership, as well as jointly achieve new heights of economic development.

Its fruitful results will become a powerful driver of Uzbek-Tajik economic cooperation, contributing to the growth of mutual trade and the mutually beneficial strengthening of industrial and investment ties between the countries, which, in turn, will support stability and sustainable development in Central Asia.

Nurmukhammad Bakhtiyorov is a leading researcher at the International Institute of Central Asia.