Greeting the guest, Islam Karimov noted that cooperation with Kazakhstan has always been a priority one for Uzbekistan. The former is considered in the latter as a reliable, time-tested partner and a close neighbor.

Serik Akhmetov expressed sincere gratefulness to Islam Karimov for a warm welcome and noted Kazakhstan’s considerable interest in the further advancement of relations with Uzbekistan across all spheres of cooperation.

The meeting served as a venue to exchange views on issues concerning trade-economic and cultural-humanitarian interaction of our two nations, as well as on other subjects of shared interest.

Kazakhstan is one of Uzbekistan’s important economic partners, trade with which has been exemplified by a dynamic and sustainable growth.

In 2011, the bilateral trade increased by 47% to reach US$2.8 billion. The turnover for the first ten months of this year has amounted to US$2.3 billion.