Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) -- On 4 July, a conference titled "Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan – Deepening and Expanding Comprehensive Strategic Partnership" was held in Bishkek, organized by the National Institute for Strategic Studies (NISS) under the President of the Kyrgyz Republic.

The event was attended by leaders and representatives of ministries, departments, as well as expert-analytical and scientific-academic circles from both countries.

The Kyrgyz side was represented by leaders and experts from the Ministry of Transport and Communications, the Ministry of Water Resources, Agriculture and Processing Industry, the Ministry of Economy and Commerce, the Ministry of Culture, Information, Sports and Youth Policy, the National Company "Kyrgyz Temir Zholy," the Association of Carriers and Logisticians, and the Uzbek-Kyrgyz Development Fund, the Institute of Water Problems and Hydroenergy, the Institute of State and Law, and the Institute of History, Archaeology, and Ethnology of the National Academy of Sciences.

From the Uzbek side, leaders of the Institute for Strategic and Interregional Studies under the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan (ISMI), the Institute of Macroeconomic and Regional Studies, the Center for Economic Research and Reforms, the International Institute of Central Asia, and the Joint-Stock Company "Uzbekistan Temir Yollari" participated.

In his welcoming speech, the director of ISMI, Eldor Aripov, noted that in recent years, Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan have achieved unprecedented results in bilateral cooperation through joint efforts. The countries have managed to completely transform their relations in a short period.

A similar view was expressed by the director of NISS, S. Mukambetov, who emphasized that "today, relations between the countries have reached an unprecedented level." He also highlighted the enormous potential for further deepening and expanding Uzbek-Kyrgyz ties.

Former Secretary of the Security Council, Director of the Institute of State and Law of the National Academy of Sciences of the Kyrgyz Republic, Tokon Mamytov, believes that thanks to Uzbekistan’s open and good-neighborly policy, the Central Asian republics have begun openly discussing regional issues and finding mutually acceptable solutions for the first time in many years.

According to the political scientist, the new "Central Asian spirit" reflects a qualitatively new political atmosphere of cooperation and mutual understanding in the region, demonstrating the optimism of our countries’ leaders in finding compromise solutions to the region’s most acute problems.

Addressing economic cooperation issues, Deputy Director of the Center for Economic Research and Reforms at the Administration of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan, Muhsinjon Kholmukhamedov, noted the increasing volumes of economic integration between Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan.

He emphasized that today, the countries are expanding industrial cooperation, engaging in joint production of technologically complex products, deepening agro-industrial ties, and establishing joint scientific centers. The expert noted that "combining efforts and resources of Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan in various sectors such as agriculture, industry, and trade can lead to a synergistic effect, where joint actions produce greater results than individual efforts."

Deputy Director General of "Kyrgyz Temir Zholy," D. Usubakunov, focused on the construction of the "China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan" railway. He noted that implementing this project will contribute to strengthening interregional ties, diversifying transport routes, and enhancing the region’s competitiveness as an international transport and transit hub.

The expert expressed readiness from the Kyrgyz side to cooperate with Uzbekistan in implementing new projects, exchanging experiences, and adopting advanced technologies.

Advisor to the First Deputy Chairman of the Board of "Uzbekistan Temir Yollari," Umidulla Ibrahimov, agreed with this view. He emphasized that the current unstable geopolitical situation in the world and difficulties in the regular operation of traditional logistics routes require the creation and development of new competitive alternative corridors, and one such example is the construction project of the "China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan" railway, which is crucial for transregional cooperation.

Chairman of the Board of the Uzbek-Kyrgyz Development Fund, Aziz Aaliev, noted that in recent years, the Fund has been actively deploying funds for the implementation of significant socio-economic projects. Among the notable projects is the delivery of Uzbek automotive equipment to remote villages in Kyrgyzstan. He highlighted that initially delivered 40 buses from the Samavto plant to Osh city gained public trust, leading to additional deliveries of 100 low-floor buses to Osh.

Director of the Institute of Macroeconomic and Regional Studies at the Cabinet of Ministers of the Republic of Uzbekistan, Umida Abidkhanov, touched upon cooperation in the development of tourism, science, education, and digital economy. As a promising direction, he proposed developing medical tourism, noting that the arrival of foreign patients for medical services is a source of income for local medical institutions and specialists, as well as providing additional opportunities for related industries such as hospitality, restaurants, and transport services.

He suggested focusing on these opportunities and developing special regional master plans with an emphasis on the development of medical tourism.

At the end of the meeting, the parties expressed readiness to increase scientific connections, implement joint research projects, and organize conferences on current issues of bilateral relations and regional cooperation.