Akramjon Nematov: Formation of new mechanisms of Uzbek-Kyrgyz cooperation has become a key factor in strengthening trust between states

Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) -- Formation of new mechanisms of Uzbek-Kyrgyz cooperation has become a key factor in strengthening trust between states. This opinion was expressed by Akramjon Nematov, First Deputy Director of the Institute for Strategic and Interregional Studies under the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan, speaking at a round table on the topic "Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan: New prospects for strategic partnership", held on 7 February in Tashkent and timed to coincide with the results of the state visit of the President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev to Kyrgyzstan.

The expert stressed that it was thanks to the good political will of the leaders of Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan that an atmosphere of mutual trust and understanding in relations between states was formed in a short period of time. This made it possible, in a constructive spirit, on the basis of the principles of mutual respect and consideration of each other’s interests, to search for and find mutually acceptable compromises on all complex key issues that have been a permanent source of tension in interstate relations for many years. “These are issues of determining the line of the state border, land use, exploitation of the resources of transboundary watercourses, and interaction in the energy sector,” the ISMI representative noted.

At the same time, Akramjon Nematov pointed out, the established high level of political dialogue has become a key driving force for the progressive development of mutually beneficial cooperation. To this end, regular contacts were maintained not only at the level of heads of state, but also at the level of governments, parliaments, and the tools of public diplomacy were used. In particular, already in 2017, at the initiative of the President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev, from September to December, three mutual visits of the heads of state took place, which moved the solution of pressing issues off the ground. A general political line was determined, the essence of which was that not a single acute issue should become an obstacle, but, on the contrary, should become a subject for dialogue.

In the same year, eight years after the break, the Joint Commission on Trade, Economic, Scientific, Technical, Cultural and Humanitarian Cooperation resumed its work, and its activities were coordinated directly by the prime ministers of the two countries themselves.

Along with this, Akramjon Nematov added, since 2018, the first established Inter-Parliamentary Commission on Cooperation between the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan and the Jokorgu Kenesh of the Kyrgyz Republic began its activities, a year earlier a new format of cooperation was launched - the Council of Khokims of the border regions of the Republic of Uzbekistan and authorized representatives of the government of the Kyrgyz Republic Republics in the border areas.

The speaker noted the readiness of Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan to further progressively develop cooperation. In this regard, during the state visit, the parties reached an agreement to create an Interstate Council, which will give even more stability to the political dialogue and additional dynamics in filling the comprehensive strategic partnership with practical content.

In his words, the activation of existing and the formation of new mechanisms for bilateral cooperation have brought the maintenance of a systemic political dialogue and the organization of practical interaction to a qualitatively new level, and have become, in fact, a key factor in strengthening mutual trust between states. "This, in turn, has significantly expanded the ability of our countries to jointly reveal all the untapped potential of cooperation, increased the stability of our states in the face of external and internal challenges," Akramjon Nematov concluded.

It should be recalled that diplomats, deputies, experts from leading scientific and analytical centers, as well as representatives of ministries and departments of the two countries.