During the talks in private, the issues of strengthening cooperation in key areas of bilateral cooperation have been discussed.
Nursultan Nazarbayev, greeting the President of Uzbekistan on the land of Kazakhstan, noted that it is Shavkat Mirziyoyev’s first visit as the Head of State.
- Kazakhstan wishes prosperity to our strategic partner, neighbor and fraternal people of Uzbekistan. In times to come, we are looking forward to fruitful relations within the framework of bilateral contacts. A certain work has already been accomplished to deepen the interstate partnership. In particular, there is a sharp increase in trade turnover between our countries, the capacity of our borders has increased, and new types of products are being delivered, the President of Kazakhstan said.
The Head of our state drew attention to the fact that Astana hosts a business forum with participation of more than 500 entrepreneurs from Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan.
- It is expected that about 75 joint contracts for a total amount of about 1 billion US dollars will be endorsed. Such a forum is being held for the first time in our history. The basis of our relationship was laid by me and Islam Karimov, the first President of Uzbekistan. I hope that we will continue that good tradition in the spirit of fraternal relations, helping each other, Nursultan Nazarbayev said.
In his turn, Sh. Mirziyoyev thanked the President of Kazakhstan for an open-armed welcome.
- During the visit to Samarkand last year you said that Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan would always be together. These words served as a rapprochement between the two countries; the Uzbek people felt the shoulder of a true friend and brother, the President of Uzbekistan said.
Shavkat Mirziyoyev stressed that relations between Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan are currently at their new level of development, and in the international sphere as well.
- In many respects, thanks to your authority, Kazakhstan was elected as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council. I would like to assure you that all your initiatives will be supported by Uzbekistan. Much attention is now being paid to regional cooperation. I hope that present meetings will serve as a basis for further effective cooperation between our countries, the President of Uzbekistan noted.
The leaders expressed hope that the current visit will give a new impetus to the Kazakh-Uzbek cooperation in a wide range of areas.
