President Tokayev highlighted the role of the First President of Kazakhstan, Elbasy Nursultan Nazarbayev, and President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev in strengthening and developing Kazakh-Uzbek relations.

“They have managed to open a completely new page in the history of collaboration between Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan and to bring our relations to a completely new level. For my part, as the Head of Kazakhstan, I intend to ensure the continuity of the policy of Elbasy and continue the development of comprehensive Kazakh-Uzbek interaction. This is illustrated by the Joint Statement of the Presidents signed today by us, which reflects the main achievements and further horizons of our cooperation," the President of Kazakhstan said.

Noting the high level of trade and economic cooperation between the two nations, President Tokayev pointed out that various measures would be required in order to maintain such close ties.

“We have noted the need to search for new niches and expand the product range. Our goal is to ensure the growth of mutual trade up to $5 billion by the end of 2020," President Tokayev said.

In the context of the development of industrial cooperation, the Kazakh President mentioned that the number of Kazakh-Uzbek joint ventures is growing as a result of the favourable business conditions created.

“Successful examples of such interaction include projects on joint assembly of cars, trucks and other equipment in Kazakhstan. Taking into account the particular importance of this field for our economies, an agreement was reached to continue active work in this direction," the President of Kazakhstan stated.

President Tokayev also noted the successful Inter-Regional Cooperation Forum at the end of last year and stressed that such meetings provide significant opportunities for the two countries.

“The question of creating the International Centre for Trade and Economic Cooperation on the border of Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan was considered separately. The implementation of this project will streamline cross-border trade, improve the access control infrastructure, as well as create a large trade and logistics hub in Central Asia," the Kazakh President said.

In addition, President Tokayev focused on cooperation in the field of fuel, water and energy, transit transport, imports and exports as well as the expansion of cultural, humanitarian and youth collaboration.

In conclusion, President Tokayev expressed satisfaction with the outcomes of the negotiations, noting that the implementation of the signed agreements would facilitate further collaboration between Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan in the traditional spirit of friendship, trust and good neighbourliness.

In his speech, President Mirziyoyev noted with deep satisfaction that the talks with President Tokayev were held in a spirit of openness and complete understanding, during which the parties confirmed their commitment to long-term relations whilst thoroughly discussing the bilateral cooperation agenda and regional and international issues, as well as stressing the importance of strengthening joint measures to counter new threats and challenges to security.

“I would like to express my gratitude to the distinguished son of the Kazakh people, the First President of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Elbasy, my brother, the esteemed Nursultan Nazarbayev, for his huge invaluable personal contribution to enhancing Kazakh-Uzbek relationship and expanding multi-dimensional cooperation. All the impressive achievements of Kazakhstan in strengthening statehood, forming a strong civil society, establishing a modern and competitive economy, and increasing the country's authority in the international arena are connected with his name," the President of Uzbekistan said.

In addition, President Mirziyoyev noted that a Road Map will be signed to implement the agreements reached during the visit.

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As a result of the state visit, the following documents were signed:

1. Joint Statement of President of the Republic of Kazakhstan K. Tokayev and President of the Republic of Uzbekistan S. Mirziyoyev;

2. Agreement between the Government of the Republic of Kazakhstan and the Government of the Republic of Uzbekistan on employment and the protection of the rights of migrant workers;

3. Agreement between the Government of the Republic of Kazakhstan and the Government of the Republic of Uzbekistan on cooperation in combating illegal migration;

4. Agreement in the form of an exchange of notes on the procedure for recognizing official documents confirming residence issued by the authorized bodies of the Republic of Kazakhstan and the Republic of Uzbekistan within the framework of the Agreement between the Governments on the avoidance of double taxation of income and property;

5. Program of cooperation between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Uzbekistan for 2019-2020;

6. Agreement between the Ministry of Defense of the Republic of Kazakhstan and the Ministry of Defense of the Republic of Uzbekistan on cooperation in the field of air defense;

7. Agreement between the Ministry of Defense of the Republic of Kazakhstan and the Ministry of Defense of the Republic of Uzbekistan on the reception, airfield and technical maintenance and protection of military aircraft at military airfields;

8. Memorandum of Understanding between the Ministry of National Economy of the Republic of Kazakhstan and the Ministry of Investments and Foreign Trade of the Republic of Uzbekistan on the establishment of the International Centre for Trade and Economic Cooperation “Central Asia";

9. Memorandum on Cooperation between the Ministry of Information and Social Development of the Republic of Kazakhstan and the Committee for Religious Affairs under the Cabinet of Ministers of the Republic of Uzbekistan.

Press Office of the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan