The President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev and the President of the Kyrgyz Republic Sadyr Zhaparov continued negotiations in an expanded format with the participation of official delegations of the two countries.

It was noted that in preparation for the current summit, a meeting of the Intergovernmental Commission, a business forum, a Rectors’ Forum, a Dialogue of Generations, and several cultural events were successfully held.

The results of joint work in key areas – trade, industrial cooperation, energy, transport, agriculture and water management, security, culture, and others – were critically analyzed.

During the talks, the parties agreed to continue intensive contacts at the level of parliaments, governments, ministries, agencies and regions, business, expert, and public circles. A decision was made to create an Interstate Council.

The need to continue close interaction within the framework of international and regional structures, including the UN, SCO, the Organization of Turkic States, the Consultative Meeting of the Heads of State of Central Asia, and other multilateral platforms was noted.

Specific measures to increase trade turnover were discussed, primarily through import substitution programs and support for cooperation projects.

For these purposes, a program to increase the volume of mutual trade is adopted during the visit. In addition, trading houses will be created in two capitals, a portfolio of export-import contracts will be formed to reach $2 billion in the coming years, pre-export financing instruments will be introduced, and a green corridor will be launched for the accelerated transportation of agricultural and livestock products.

The portfolio of active industrial cooperation projects has already reached $300 million. As part of the business forum the day before, a new package of trade contracts and investment agreements was adopted in energy, logistics, electrical engineering, textile, agro-industrial, and other industries.

To promote such projects, the authorized capital of the Uzbekistan – Kyrgyzstan Fund will be increased to $200 million.

Cooperation in the energy sector has been identified as a strategic direction.

It was noted that signing the agreement as soon as possible and starting the practical phase of the Kambarata HPP-1 construction project is essential. Also, considering the two countries’ potential, a comprehensive cooperation program should be prepared to develop small hydropower.

The need to intensify joint efforts to strengthen regional transport connectivity was emphasized.

A historic event in this direction was the signing of a trilateral Agreement on the strategic project to construct the China – Kyrgyzstan – Uzbekistan railway.

Prospective transport projects were also discussed at the meeting.

It was noted that the real drivers of trade and economic cooperation are the regions of the two countries. In this context, an agreement was reached to continue active contacts within the framework of the Council of Heads of Border Regions, chaired by the Prime Ministers.

It was agreed to prepare a schedule of mutual visits of regional delegations and update joint roadmaps.

An important area of ​​interaction has been identified in agriculture. We are talking about implementing an agricultural cooperation program that provides for the joint cultivation of crops, the creation of intensive gardens, and agricultural clusters.

Active exchanges will continue in culture, youth, tourism, education, science, and sports.

In this context, the successful holding on the eve of the second Forum of Rectors of Higher Education Institutions of Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan in Samarkand was noted with satisfaction.

It was agreed to prepare a calendar of cultural events for the coming years.

At the meeting, reports from the vice-premiers were heard with specific proposals on the trade and economic agenda.

Following the talks, the heads of state instructed to prepare a joint action plan and establish mechanisms for the effective implementation of the agreements reached.

UzA