Abylgaziev: Kyrgyz-Uzbek relations have reached new level of strategic partnership

Bishkek, Aug. 1, 2019. /Kabar/. "Kyrgyz-Uzbek relations have reached a new level of strategic partnership," Prime Minister of Kyrgyzstan Mukhammedkalyi Abylgaziev said during the bilateral narrow format meeting with Uzbek Prime Minister Abdulla Aripov.
Abylgaziev warmly welcomed his counterpart and noted the development of friendly and good-neighborly relations is one of the priorities of foreign policy in Kyrgyzstan. "We note with satisfaction that the Kyrgyz-Uzbek relations have reached a new level of strategic partnership. The bilateral cooperation is dynamically developing thanks to personal friendly relations and political decisions of two heads of state. We often meet with you and discuss issues of our bilateral cooperation," he said.
He recalled the second meeting of the Council of Heads of Border Regions of Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan, held in Osh last December. Today, one of the main issues on the agenda is the organization of an official visit of President of Uzbekistan to the Kyrgyz Republic.
Abylgaziev also focused on trade and economic cooperation. According to him, Presidents of the two countries have set the task to bring trade turnover up to $500 million, and he is confident that the set task will be fulfilled at the end of the year.
The prime minister emphasized that the implementation of all agreements will serve as a good foundation for increasing the volume of trade turnover and expanding trade between Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan, and cultural and humanitarian relations are developing at a high level.
Uzbek PM Aripov noted Kyrgyz and Uzbek are linked by centuries-old bonds of friendship and good neighborliness, similar customs and common history. In recent years, thanks to the efforts and friendly relations of two heads of state, relations between Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan have reached a new level of trustful relations.
"Thanks to the hard work of the governmental bodies, we have regular meetings," he said.
Prime Minister of Uzbekistan Abdulla Aripov has arrived in Kyrgyzstan for a working visit, he will be received by President of Kyrgyzstan Sooronbay Jeenbekov.