Serik Akhmetov: It's time to sign Kazakhstan-Uzbekistan strategic partnership agreement
"We are happy for the success of Uzbekistan - and we believe this is our common success, and for the relationship between our countries. Actually, we've created a really serious, solid legal framework, which has more than 100 contracts and agreements in various fields, including in the economic sphere," said Akhmetov.
"We all know that in 1998 our countries signed historic treaties on eternal friendship and on deepening of economic cooperation. I think we now need to continue to cooperate to deepen these aspects of work. It is important that the political, economic stability, regional security in Central Asia depends on our concerted actions, which we discussed today in a closed format. I think we've gained understanding, and we will continue this work. Today's meeting will not only bring together the interests of our countries, but also help find practical solutions to pressing issues," added the Prime Minister of Kazakhstan.
According to him, Uzbekistan is one of the key partners of Kazakhstan. "We are interested in further deepening the mutually beneficial relationship. Kazakhstan appreciates the results of the September visit of Islam Karimov to Astana. Joint statement of the heads of state is a stimulus for our further action. We need to implement in practice each item of the agreement. The time has come to sign a strategic partnership agreement between our two countries. A good example of strengthening relations may be the establishment of the Business Council, which will promote closer and more effective dialogue between the business communities of the two countries," Akhmetov concluded.
The meeting also discussed the expansion of transit-transport potential of the two countries.