Kyrgyzstan ready to discuss with Uzbek partners whole range of urgent issues - Abylgaziev

Bishkek, Aug. 1, 2019. / Kabar /. The Kyrgyz side is ready to discuss with the Uzbek partners the full range of topical issues on the bilateral agenda, Prime Minister of the Kyrgyz Republic Mukhammedkalyi Abylgaziev said at a bilateral meeting with Prime Minister of Uzbekistan Abdulla Aripov in an expanded format.
Abylgaziev said that Kyrgyz-Uzbek relations have reached a qualitatively new level of strategic cooperation and stressed that bilateral relations have been activated in recent years.
"Regular contacts, established trusting friendly relations between the heads of the two states, create favorable conditions for the intensive development of Kyrgyz-Uzbek relations in all areas. In 2017, the first visit of President of the Kyrgyz Republic Sooronbai Jeenbekov to Uzbekistan took place. As a result of which a solid package of documents was signed in the areas of trade, economic, transport, scientific, technical and humanitarian cooperation. And the Kyrgyz side expects a return visit of President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev to Kyrgyzstan" the prime minister said.
Abylgaziev noted that it is very important to increase intergovernmental cooperation designed to ensure the implementation of the reached agreements. He stressed that the Kyrgyz side is ready to discuss with the Uzbek partners the full range of topical issues on the bilateral agenda and find mutually beneficial solutions on them.
"At the end of 2018, the turnover amounted to USD 336 million. And according to the results of the first half of 2019, it amounted to USD 165 million. But there is a huge untapped potential, and with this in mind, we need to implement joint projects, build joint ventures and logistics centers. Today, 96 companies with the participation of Kyrgyz capital operate in Uzbekistan, and more than 200 joint Kyrgyz-Uzbek enterprises operate in the Kyrgyz Republic," he said.
The prime minister also emphasized the importance of renewing the Tashkent-Bishkek-Balykchy-Tashkent railway connection, the Bishkek-Tashkent-Bishkek bus service, and increasing the Bishkek-Tashkent-Bishkek air routes, as well as the resumption of temporary charter flights Tashkent-Tamchy. It is necessary to regularly renew the bus service Andijan-Osh, Fergana-Osh.