STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN THE REPUBLIC OF UZBEKISTAN AND THE REPUBLIC OF KAZAKHSTAN IN THE CONTEXT OF THE REGION-WIDE DEVELOPMENT OF CENTRAL ASIA
Today in Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan, we are witnessing and directly participating in the process of updating the centuries-old chronicle of friendship and good-neighbourliness between our countries.
For long, the Uzbeks and Kazakhs have been living in peace and harmony, providing support to each other. Time-tested fraternal relations and a high level of strategic partnership are enriched with new content. Over the past two years, we have managed to achieve significant results in the development of Uzbek-Kazakh relations in various fields and directions.
Due to joint efforts, a completely new atmosphere of political trust has been created. A breakthrough has been achieved in resolving many issues that in the past created obstacles to mutual rapprochement to achieve common interests in the further development and improvement of the well-being of our peoples. Trade, investment, transport, communication, cooperation, production, cultural and humanitarian ties, cross-border and interregional collaboration, interaction in the field of security and joint resistance to modern challenges and threats have been intensified and expanded.
A solid foundation has been created to ensure dynamic development of mutually beneficial and multifaceted cooperation based on the provisions of the agreements on eternal friendship and strategic partnership. The legal framework for bilateral cooperation has been significantly strengthened.
Today, we have all the necessary conditions for fruitful and constructive cooperation – deep mutual understanding at all levels. This was largely facilitated by the mutual visits of the heads of our states, which undoubtedly gave new impetus to further strengthen the strategic partnership.
Each meeting of the heads of Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan is always perceived with great uplift and keen interest, since as part of these meetings the sides exchange views on many issues of mutual interest and reach agreements to further strengthen friendship and cooperation.
At the same time, meetings at the level of ministries and agencies have also become regular and cooperation between regions is actively developing. Border and inter-regional relations are expanding and deepening and new mechanisms for activating economic relations are being developed.
In this context, the First Uzbekistan-Kazakhstan Interregional Cooperation Forum, held with great success last November in Shymkent, marked a significant milestone in bilateral relations. The results of the Forum vividly showed the wide, yet untapped potential of Uzbek-Kazakh economic cooperation.
New approaches and trends in the interaction between our countries have led to the intensification of bilateral trade and economic and investment cooperation. Kazakhstan has a firm position as one of the largest foreign trade partners of Uzbekistan. Significant results have been achieved in the development of mutually beneficial cooperation between our countries in economic, trade, transport, scientific, technical, cultural and humanitarian areas. Bilateral trade in 2018 increased by 47 percent and reached $3.022 billion.
One of the key components of Uzbek-Kazakh relations is the cultural and humanitarian area, which plays an important role in preserving and strengthening inter-ethnic peace and harmony, cultivating a sense of mutual respect, mutual enrichment and further rapprochement of the peoples of our countries. The Year of Uzbekistan in Kazakhstan in 2018 is a vivid example of the development of bilateral cultural ties.
This unique event, organised for the first time in the history of many years of our fruitful cooperation, is a striking example of true fraternal relations between two close nations. We are actively working to organise the Year of Kazakhstan in Uzbekistan this year.
The level of successful and productive interaction achieved over the past two years fully meets the interests of the fraternal peoples of Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan and contributes to ensuring stability and progress throughout the region of Central Asia.
Such a breakthrough was made due to the political will of the heads of our states – Shavkat Mirziyoyev and Nursultan Nazarbayev – aimed at developing good neighbourly relations and strengthening and further deepening regional cooperation and unity of the countries of Central Asia.
The President of the Republic of Uzbekistan clearly and precisely defined that the main foreign policy priority of the country is to pursue an open and constructive policy towards its closest neighbours, solving the problems of Central Asia based on equality, mutual consideration of interests and search for reasonable compromises. All these efforts should be aimed at turning Central Asia into a region of stability, security and prosperity.
Achieving these objectives, as well as ensuring sustainable and dynamic development of our entire region, depends largely on how closely and harmoniously the interaction of the Central Asian states is built. In this vein, the partnership of our fraternal countries is important for strengthening regional stability and developing cooperation throughout Central Asia.
This applies not only to political, trade, economic, cultural and humanitarian cooperation, but also to interaction in the fight against major trans-border threats in Central Asia – terrorism, religious extremism, organised crime and drug trafficking.
We should note our close cooperation among international organisations, primarily the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS), Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO), United Nations (UN) and others. We highly appreciate the level of mutual support while considering within these organisations the most important issues affecting the interests of Central Asia as a whole.
Among them, of particular importance is the creation of a Central Asian Nuclear Weapon Free Zone (CANWFZ), as well as the announcement of Aug. 29 as the International Day against Nuclear Tests. The global community not only supported the aspirations of the Central Asian countries for a world free of nuclear weapons, but also acknowledged the merits of Kazakhstan in this process, which announced the closure of the test site near Semipalatinsk.
In addition, Uzbekistan supported the bid of Kazakhstan for non-permanent membership in the UN Security Council, as well as its initiative under the chairpersonship in the Security Council on organising a ministerial debate in 2018 on Building Regional Partnerships in Afghanistan and Central Asia as a Model for the Security-Development Nexus.
In this context, I would also like to note the joint implementation of the initiative of President Mirziyoyev in organising regular consultative meetings of the heads of Central Asian states, which is historical in its significance for Central Asia. This initiative was fully supported by President Nazarbayev and at the suggestion of the head of Kazakhstan, the first such meeting was held on March 15, 2018 in Astana.
It should be emphasised that this format is a good platform for the countries of the region to maintain a regular confidential dialogue and develop coordinated approaches on topical regional issues. The practical implementation of this initiative was made possible thanks to the strong commitment of the Central Asian states to the idea of common interests and responsibility for the future of the peoples of the region.
The adoption of the UN General Assembly resolution titled “Strengthening regional and international cooperation to ensure peace, stability and sustainable development in the Central Asian region” in June 2018 was of utmost significance. This decision was an important step in the development of Central Asia as a common, consolidated region, states of which are capable of jointly solving common problems and ensuring the prosperity of its multi-million population.
The countries of Central Asia also became co-authors of the UN General Assembly Enlightenment and Religious Tolerance resolution adopted in December2018. The resolution is aimed at promoting peace, mutual respect, tolerance and integration, the purpose of which is to strengthen and ensure religious freedom, protect the rights of believers and prevent discrimination.
Today, Central Asia is no longer a periphery of world politics. Every year, the region attracts the increasing attention of the global community and key actors of international relations. This is also facilitated by the growing activity of the countries of the region and their involvement in the discussion and resolution of the most important issues of regional and global politics.
These successes were achieved thanks to the joint efforts and mutual support of the countries of the region, including Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan, to regional initiatives.
In this context, I would like to note similar positions of the leaders of Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan, who consistently advocate for strengthening regional partnership, deepening integration in various sectors of the economy and developing cultural and humanitarian ties.
Today, the process of creating broad opportunities for deepening and building up interregional cooperation and bringing it to a new level is underway. A new page in the centuries-old chronicle of friendship, good neighbourliness, mutual support and cooperation has opened before the states of Central Asia.
All these factors laid the foundation to implement new, major regional economic and political initiatives and strengthen the common interests of the countries of the region in the field of security and sustainable development, as well as the common cultural and civilisational identity of Central Asia.
It should be emphasised that our countries have a firm political will and are ready to work together to keep a trustful, open and constructive dialogue over the whole range of interaction-related issues and to make the necessary efforts to strengthen multi-faceted practical and strategic cooperation in all areas of mutual interest, bоth at the bilateral and regional levels with the active participation of all Central Asian states.
Abdulaziz Kamilov,
Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Uzbekistan
11.04.2019 19:59
Kazakhstan’s President to pay state visit to Uzbekistan
At the invitation of President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, President of the Republic of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev arrives in Uzbekistan on 14 April 2019 on a two-day state visit.
It will be the first meeting of the heads of state following Kassym-Jomart Tokayev’s assumption of office as President of Kazakhstan.
In the course of forthcoming talks in contracted and extended formats, the parties are expected to discuss prospects of consolidating the bilateral relations of friendship, good-neighborliness and strategic partnership along with priority areas for interaction in political, trade-economic, investment, transport and communications, cultural and humanitarian areas, among others.
The Presidents plan to exchange views on the enhancement of regional cooperation and key issues in international affairs.
The two sides intend to adopt a joint statement of the heads of state and sign a package of bilateral documents aimed at bolstering the multidimensional ties between the two countries.
The Presidents are also anticipated to take part in the official opening ceremony of the Year of Kazakhstan in Uzbekistan, which will kick off with a concert of Kazakhstani art figures and become a logical continuation of successful Year of Uzbekistan in the fraternal neighboring nation.
13.04.2019 18:42
Darkhan SATYBALDY: “This year will remain in the memory of fraternal people as the year that will raise relations to a new stage”
On April 12, the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev received credentials from foreign ambassadors. Darkhan SATYBALDY is among them. He has begun his activity as the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Kazakhstan to Uzbekistan.
Following the ceremony of presenting credentials, the Ambassador shared his opinion with UzA correspondent.
– Close friendly relations are established between Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan. Over the past few years, the trade turnover between our countries has reached 3 billion US dollars. By 2020, we are planning to bring this figure to 5 billion USD. Active work is underway in this area.
The President of the Republic of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev will arrive in Uzbekistan on April 14 on a state visit. This is one of the first foreign visits of the Head of our state, which indicates very close relations between our countries. During the visit, the official opening ceremony of the Year of Kazakhstan in Uzbekistan will be held. I think that this year will also remain in the memory of the fraternal people as the year that raised our relations to a new, higher level.
President of Kazakhstan arrives in Tashkent
14.04.2019 19:00
At the invitation of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev, the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev on 14 April 2019 arrived in Uzbekistan on a two-day state visit.
The Prime Minister of the Republic of Uzbekistan Abdulla Aripov met the President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev at Tashkent International Airport named after Islam Karimov.
After the welcome reception, the delegation of Kazakhstan left for the residence allocated for them.
As previously reported, this will be the first meeting of the heads of state following Kassym-Jomart Tokayev’s assumption of office as President of Kazakhstan.
In the course of the forthcoming negotiations in contracted and extended formats, the parties are expected to discuss prospects for further strengthening bilateral friendship, good-neighborliness and strategic partnership, as well as consider priority areas of cooperation in political, trade-economic, investment, transport-communications, cultural-humanitarian and other areas.
The Presidents will exchange views on enhancement of regional cooperation and key international issues.
It is planned to adopt a joint statement by the heads of state, as well as to sign a package of bilateral documents aimed at developing multifaceted relations between the two countries.
The Presidents will also attend the official opening ceremony of the Year of Kazakhstan in Uzbekistan, which will become the logical continuation of the successfully completed Year of Uzbekistan in the fraternal neighboring country.
14.04.2019 07:00
“Effective bilateral cooperation between Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan is an important factor for stability, security and sustainable development of the Central Asian region”
The President of the Republic of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev gave an interview to Uzbekistan National News Agency – UzA on the results achieved, the current state and prospects for development of cooperation between Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan.
– Thanks to the First President of Kazakhstan – Elbasy Nursultan Nazarbayev and President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev, relations between our countries have reached a new level. What are common goals and objectives facing Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan today?
– From the first days of independence, Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan go hand in hand, supporting each other in difficult moments and sincerely rejoicing in success. We have built strong and harmonious relations, which are based on a single goal – the prosperity of the two countries.
The leading role in strengthening the strategic partnership between our countries was played by the First President of Kazakhstan Nursultan Abishevich Nazarbayev and the President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Miromonovich Mirziyoyev.
The leader of the nation invariably pays special attention to the development of relations with closest neighbors, therefore your country is included in the category of priority areas of Kazakhstan’s foreign policy. We will continue the course of further rapprochement of our peoples.
Currently, the main tasks are the expansion of trade-economic ties and deepening cross-border cooperation. Our countries have enormous opportunities in these areas. The two governments have set a goal – to increase the trade turnover to 5 billion USD by 2020.
The existing examples of productive and growing cooperation in the investment sphere, industrial cooperation, development of joint production meet our mutual desire to deepen economic cooperation for the mutual benefit of both countries.
Great prospects for partnership are seen in transit and transport area. For Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan, which do not have access to the sea, the priority tasks are the improvement of transit infrastructure and development of transport cooperation with other countries.
An indicator of mutual trust is also the fact that Nur-Sultan and Tashkent consistently strengthen security cooperation. We face common regional problems: terrorism, religious extremism, illegal arms trade, organized crime, illegal migration and drug trafficking. The situation in Afghanistan, which increases security risks of our region, is also of serious concern.
All this requires us to take systematic, coordinated, proactive measures. Therefore, Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan are already establishing links between law enforcement agencies and special services of the two countries.
Cooperation on water issues is also of particular importance. It is gratifying that we regularly hold working groups’ meetings in all areas of water relations, including in close coordination with other partners in the region.
Traditionally, we pay special attention to further strengthening cultural-humanitarian contacts, which is positively perceived by our peoples.
It is significant that there are practically no issues between Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan that could not be resolved through constructive dialogue. Relations between our countries are a successful and effective model of bilateral cooperation, which is an important factor for stability, security and sustainable development of the entire Central Asian region.
In my opinion, consonance of the goals and objectives of Nur-Sultan and Tashkent will serve as a powerful incentive for further strengthening our large-scale cooperation.
– It is known that Elbasy Nursultan Nazarbayev and President Shavkat Mirziyoyev have warm friendly relations. And how are Your contacts with the Head of Uzbekistan developing?
– Shavkat Miromonovich is one of the first heads of state who congratulated me on assuming the office of President of Kazakhstan. I am sincerely grateful to him for the kind words. As evidence of deep respect of the Uzbek leader for our country, I also consider the good wishes addressed to our Elbasy.
President Shavkat Mirziyoyev assumed the historic mission of implementing large-scale reforms in Uzbekistan and turning your country into a modern, internationally competitive state. His firm commitment to the consistent improvement of the public administration system, the liberalization of the economy and the financial sector, the modernization of all spheres in Uzbekistan is of genuine interest and sincere respect.
Shavkat Miromonovich devotes all his energy, knowledge and experience to the achievement of the goals set, I became personally convinced in this during our meetings.
A very detailed conversation took place in 2017, when I headed the delegation of the Senate of Kazakhstan’s Parliament on a visit to Tashkent. I am personally very impressed with the strategic approach of the Head of Uzbekistan to all key areas of the country’s development, his deep understanding of the situation in the region and the world. We have with him a common vision on all issues of bilateral development, which is absolutely important.
I am convinced that the trusting and regular contacts that have developed between us will further deepen the fraternal Kazakhstan – Uzbekistan relations.
– What results can be announced today following the Year of Uzbekistan in Kazakhstan?
– The decision on holding this landmark event has become a bright page in bilateral relations. The Year of Uzbekistan in Kazakhstan was held at a very high level. In our country, more than 200 events that contributed to the expansion and strengthening of contacts between people, institutions of science, culture, education, and business structures were organized.
The first forum of interregional cooperation of Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan was successfully held. Following the forum, important documents were signed, providing for further development of interregional relations between the two countries.
I am confident that this format of cooperation will become an important factor in the growth of interaction between border areas, will accelerate the entry of business into the markets of our states, and will significantly enhance bilateral trade. Over the past year, the trade turnover between our countries increased by about 50 percent and amounted to 3 billion dollars.
I want to emphasize that mutual rapprochement of the two states is perceived by the peoples with great enthusiasm. Therefore, it is very symbolic that my first state visit to a brotherly country coincided with the opening of the Year of Kazakhstan in Uzbekistan.
– What do you expect from the Year of Kazakhstan in Uzbekistan?
– First of all, we hope for a wide response and involvement of Uzbekistan people in the events of the Year of Kazakhstan. It is important for us that every citizen of Uzbekistan finds something of his own in this grand event and will forever retain a part of Kazakhstan in his heart. Therefore, we have tried to make the program of the Year of Kazakhstan as diverse and rich as possible.
If business forums and conferences are especially interesting to businessmen and politicians, then educational exhibitions are provided for students. In addition, it is planned to hold many cultural, sports and tourism events.
The geographical coverage of the Year of Kazakhstan is of particular importance. Events will be held in all regions of Uzbekistan. Thus, we hope to strengthen interregional cooperation and human contacts.
Systematic work will be continued on already announced initiatives and projects in trade, cross-border cooperation, tourism, transport and culture.
We are also determined to complete the modernization of our checkpoints, which will significantly reduce the time for crossing the state border. Our goal remains the formation of a modern border and customs infrastructure. It is necessary for ordinary citizens, business, in addition, such work will contribute to strengthening the tourism potential of our countries.
In a word, we are ready to continue work in all areas of economic, socio-humanitarian cooperation with Uzbekistan.
All this will allow building new bridges of mutual understanding and cooperation. As the Uzbek proverb says: “Close neighbor – soul neighbor”. I am absolutely convinced that the Year of Kazakhstan in Uzbekistan will serve to strengthen the centuries-old bonds of friendship and good neighborliness between our peoples.
– Political scientists have been writing about the factor of Central Asia since the 1990s. Suffice it to recall the works of Brzezinski and others. But none of the critical forecasts came true. How do you see Central Asia in world politics?
– Indeed, since independence, many experts and observers predicted a predominantly negative development scenario for Central Asia. We were predicted to disintegrate, an uncontrolled increase in the terrorist threat, becoming a kind of “caliphate”, internal conflicts, economic and social collapse.
However, the forecasts of the Balkanization of Central Asia have not been realized. During the years of sovereign development, verified steps and decisions of each of the Central Asian states allowed maintaining stability in the region and, equally important, laying a solid foundation for long-term progressive development.
Today, Central Asia is experiencing a new stage of its formation. There is a tendency to strengthen interstate cooperation, a real search for mutually acceptable solutions across the entire spectrum of current issues. For this there is the main thing – the political will of all the leaders of our region, the readiness to develop cooperation based on the principles of good neighborliness and mutual interest.
In March 2018, the first consultative meeting of the Heads of State of Central Asia was held in the capital of Kazakhstan. Without exaggeration, we can say that this event has become a new stage in regional cooperation. During the meeting, the basic priorities of the five-sided cooperation were identified and plans for the future were outlined. There has been a significant increase in the level of political dialogue between the Central Asian countries, and the proximity or coincidence of positions on most issues on the intraregional and international agenda has been confirmed.
The new dynamics of cooperation is already bearing fruit. In Central Asia, trade turnover has noticeably increased, air, road and rail routes are being opened, checkpoints are being modernized, infrastructure projects are being implemented. Intraregional economic relations are being strengthened, boundaries are being coordinated, water resource management and environmental issues are being jointly addressed.
The trends of regionalization and cooperation are an integral part of the modern world development. Even large and self-sufficient countries are building close interaction with their partners.
As world experience shows, it is vital for small and medium-sized states to create effective cooperation platforms and expand cooperation, without which long-term and sustainable development is impossible.
At the same time, it is impossible to interpret the natural convergence of our countries in line with any “bloc mentality”. The current positive process in Central Asia is not only beneficial for us, but also in the interests of the region’s traditional partners. Kazakhstan is open to all forms of cooperation with all interested countries.
