The International Institute for Central Asia hosted an international conference on “Uzbekistan – Kazakhstan. Prospects for the development of strategic partnership and alliance”.

The event was attended by more than 70 experts from the two countries, including the leadership of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Embassy of Kazakhstan, representatives of the Kazakhstan Institute for Strategic Studies, the Foreign Policy Research Institute under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Kazakhstan, the Institute of World Economics and Politics under the Foundation of the First President of the Republic of Kazakhstan.

The Uzbek side was attended by experts from IICA, ISRS, IFMR, CER, UWED, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Uzbekistan.

Among those invited were also heads and employees of diplomatic missions accredited in Uzbekistan.

At the conference, the main results of the high-level talks in the city of Tashkent, held as part of the state visit of the President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev to Uzbekistan, were considered.

Issues of current global and regional trends, as well as new strategic prospects for cooperation in economy, industrial cooperation, transport, energy and water resources, as well as in cultural and humanitarian interaction, and regional cooperation were discussed.

In his speech, IICA Deputy Director F. Kadirov noted that the fruitful relations that have developed over the years of independence, as well as an open and trusting dialogue between the heads of the two states – Shavkat Mirziyoyev and Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, should be considered as the basis for strengthening a multifaceted partnership.

ISRS Director E. Aripov noted that in the context of limited opportunities for traditional transport and transit corridors and the transport isolation of the region, it became relevant to strengthen joint work to improve and diversify the transport systems of the two countries.

According to the expert, the agreements reached between Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan can multiply the volume of transported goods, accelerate the implementation of both planned and new transport and logistics projects. He is sure that all this will create additional strategic opportunities for both countries.

At the same time, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Kazakhstan E. Konuspayev, Ambassador of Kazakhstan to Uzbekistan B. Atamkulov, Director of Kazakhstan Institute for Strategic Studies E. Tukumov noted that the trusting dialogue formed in recent years between the Presidents of the two countries is an essential factor in strengthening interaction.

According to B. Atamkulov, the political will of the two Presidents gives a powerful impetus to the development of bilateral relations.

Following the conference, representatives of Kazakhstan expressed their readiness to continue actively participating in joint activities to promote strategic partnership and alliance.

Gayrat Khonnazarov, photo by Muhammad Amin, UzA