Uzbekistan notes 'fruitful nature' in bilateral cooperation with Kyrgyzstan

By Burc Eruygur

ISTANBUL (AA) - Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev on Thursday noted the "fruitful nature" of his country’s bilateral cooperation with Kyrgyzstan, amid a meeting with visiting Kyrgyz Foreign Minister Jeenbek Kulubaev in the capital Tashkent.

“The leader of Uzbekistan noted with deep satisfaction the high level and fruitful nature of bilateral cooperation achieved in recent years, including the noticeable intensification of contacts and exchanges at the level of parliaments, governments, regions, the public and business circles,” said a statement by the Uzbek presidency.

The statement said that the meeting addressed matters related to further strengthening bilateral relations, good neighborliness and comprehensive strategic partnership.

It further said that the Uzbek-Kyrgyz Intergovernmental Commission operates effectively, while the Uzbek-Kyrgyz Development Fund is fully operational.

“The volumes of trade turnover and cargo transportation are growing, cooperation projects are being implemented in mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, textiles, agriculture and other industries. Joint cultural and humanitarian events are regularly held,” it also said.

It added that Mirziyoyev and Kulubaev underlined the importance of continuing political dialogue and accelerating the implementation of programs and projects between the two countries, including the construction of the China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan railway project.

In September 2022, China, Kyrgyzstan, and Uzbekistan signed a trilateral memorandum of understanding to cooperate on a railway project connecting the three countries.

Kulubaev, who arrived in Tashkent on Wednesday, also held talks with his counterpart Bakhtiyor Saidov earlier in the day, after which they signed a protocol on the results of the political consultations between their ministries.