On December 13, the President of the Kyrgyz Republic Sooronbay Jeenbekov arrived in our country with an official visit at the invitation of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev. 

The President of the Kyrgyz Republic visited the Mustakillik square and laid flowers at the Monument of Independence and Humanism, which is a symbol of freedom, bright future and noble aspirations of our people. 

The distinguished guest also laid flowers at the monument to the founder of independence of our country, an outstanding state and political figure, the First President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Islam Karimov, paid tribute to his bright memory. 

The main events within the framework of the official visit of the President of the Kyrgyz Republic took place at Kuksaroy residence. 

After the ceremony of the official meeting, the heads of states held negotiations in a narrow format. 

The President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev, once again cordially congratulating Sooronbay Jeenbekov on his election to the post of the President of the Kyrgyz Republic, expressed confidence in that today's negotiations will raise bilateral relations between Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan to a new level. 

This year was historic in development of cooperation between Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan. Relations between the two countries have strengthened due to the political will of the heads of the two states, mutual understanding in many issues and common desire for cooperation. 

We highly appreciate that You, as President of Kyrgyzstan, made one of your first foreign visits to Uzbekistan, consider this as adherence to deepening friendship, good-neighborliness and strategic partnership between our countries, said Shavkat Mirziyoyev. 

Sooronbay Jeenbekov expressed his gratitude to Shavkat Mirziyoyev for the invitation to visit Uzbekistan and expressed deep respect of people of Kyrgyzstan to our country. 

You have turned the state border between our countries into a border of friendship, good-neighborliness and cooperation, said the President of Kyrgyzstan. 

Presidents noted that this visit is a good opportunity for discussing issues of developing trade-economic, transport-communication and cultural-humanitarian cooperation, delimitation of borders, opening new checkpoints and ensuring their effective operation, rational use of water resources. 

The heads of states confirmed their determination to actively develop and strengthen relations of strategic partnership, friendship, good-neighborliness and trust between the Republic of Uzbekistan and the Kyrgyz Republic. 

The sides also exchanged views on regional and international issues of mutual interest. 

It was noted that there is a significant potential for continuing and strengthening bilateral cooperation in the international arena, a mutual desire was expressed on further development of cooperation between Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan within the framework of the UN, CIS, SCO, OIC and other international structures. 

In its foreign policy, Uzbekistan, first of all, focuses on development of relations with neighboring countries. This is clearly confirmed by the fact that partnership between the countries of Central Asia has recently become more active. In particular, cooperation with the Kyrgyz Republic is enriched with new content, the exchange of visits at the level of parliaments, ministries and departments, as well as regions, is expanding.

During the negotiations, President Sooronbay Jeenbekov once again confirmed the support of Kyrgyzstan for the initiatives of the Republic of Uzbekistan on conducting regular consultative meetings of the leaders of Central Asian countries. 

Shavkat Mirziyoyev and Sooronbay Jeenbekov continued negotiations in an expanded format with participation of official delegations. 

The main attention was paid to further development of political, trade-economic, transport-communication, banking-financial, scientific-technical, cultural-humanitarian and interregional cooperation between Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan, strengthening relations in the sphere of industry, agriculture and water resources, tourism and other areas. 

An important role in development of trade-economic relations between the Republic of Uzbekistan and the Kyrgyz Republic is played by the Intergovernmental commission on bilateral cooperation. The prime ministers of the two countries are co-chairmen of the commission, which indicates the high attention of the parties to cooperation. 

Recently, the trade turnover between our countries is growing rapidly. Only for the period from January to November this year, the indicators of mutual trade grew by more than 56 percent and reached over 235 million dollars. 

However, as noted at the negotiations, this does not reflect the available opportunities of the two countries. Instructions were given for diversification of the range of bilateral trade and bringing its volume to 500 million dollars in the coming years. 

The need for active development of foreign trade infrastructure and mechanisms of supporting export-import operations, establishment of joint trading houses, as well as holding business forums and national exhibitions of industrial products on a mutual basis was emphasized. 

During the official visit of the President of Kyrgyzstan to Uzbekistan, an exhibition of industrial products of Uzbekistan and a business forum were organized, business negotiations were held, which were attended by many businessmen from both countries, contracts at the amount of about 140 million dollars were signed, which reflects the dynamic development of trade-economic relations. 

The sides noted the importance of practical implementation of projects on organization of assembly production of Uzbek agricultural machinery, cars, buses, special trailers, household appliances on the territory of the Kyrgyz Republic, as well as establishment of joint ventures in textile sphere and industry of construction materials. 

At the same time, an agreement was reached on not being limited to these projects and jointly search for new promising areas of industrial cooperation. 

Special attention will be further paid to the development and strengthening of cooperation between the regions of Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan through the exchange of visits, conducting joint events in all spheres, development of relations between the citizens of the two countries. 

The Kyrgyz side supported the proposal of the Uzbek side on conducting the first meeting of the Council of khokims and heads of administrations of border regions in Uzbekistan under the patronage of the prime ministers of the two countries. 

The presidents emphasized the strategic nature of bilateral cooperation in the sphere of transport and development of transit corridors, ensuring the shortest and most effective access to foreign markets. 

The heads of states emphasized that the rapid construction of Uzbekistan – Kyrgyzstan – China railway, which would enhance the attractiveness and more complete implementation of the transit potential of Central Asia. 

A high assessment was given to the pilot international road race organized in the period from October 30 to November 3, 2017 along Tashkent – Andijan – Osh – Irkeshtam – Kashgar route, which will become another important factor in diversifying transport routes of the region. 

Issues of development of cooperation between Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan in water and energy sphere were discussed. In this context, in order to achieve a constructive solution in these issues, the sides agreed to establish a Joint water commission and conduct its meeting in the near future. 

When discussing issues of humanitarian cooperation, it was noted that traditions, culture and values of people of Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan are common. Our language, religion, history and heritage are same. These aspects play an important role in development of cultural and humanitarian relations. Particular attention is being paid to the study of the Kyrgyz language and culture in Uzbekistan, the Uzbek language and culture in Kyrgyzstan. 

This year, a theater group from Kyrgyzstan visited Fergana valley, masters of art of Uzbekistan conducted a creative tour in Osh, Uzgen, Aravan, Nookat, Kara-Suu and Jalal-Abad. Days of Culture of Uzbekistan were held in Kyrgyzstan. 

According to the agreement of the heads of states, Days of Culture of Kyrgyzstan will be held in Uzbekistan next year. At the same time, people of the two countries will celebrate the anniversary of the outstanding Kyrgyz writer Chingiz Aitmatov in 2018. 

In this regard, the President of the Kyrgyz Republic expressed gratitude to the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan for the decision on opening a permanent exhibition at the National University of Uzbekistan named after Mirzo Ulugbek, dedicated to the life and work of the great son of Kyrgyz people Chingiz Aitmatov. 

Following the negotiations, the ceremony of signing documents took place. 

The President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev and the President of Kyrgyzstan Sooronbay Jeenbekov signed the Joint Statement outlining the prospects of further deepening interstate relations in political, trade-economic, water-energy and cultural-humanitarian spheres, in the field of transport and communications, interregional cooperation, as well as issues of practical implementation of the agreements reached during the visits at the highest level. 

Representatives of the governments of the two countries signed the Agreement on financial cooperation, as well as the Program on economic, scientific, technical and humanitarian cooperation for 2018-2021. 

Representatives of ministries and departments of Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan also adopted documents between customs agencies on organization of a simplified procedure for the implementation of customs operations for the movement of goods and vehicles, between the ministries of emergency situations on cooperation in the field of prevention and liquidation of emergency situations for 2018. 

In addition, an agreement was reached on establishing cooperation between academies of sciences and federations of trade unions of the two countries, between the Central Council of the Union of Youth of Uzbekistan and the State Agency for Youth Affairs, Physical Culture and Sports under the Government of the Kyrgyz Republic. 

At the meeting with representatives of the mass media, the presidents noted that the negotiations were held in the spirit of mutual understanding, openness and sincerity, the reached agreements will serve the interests of people of the two countries. 

Shavkat Mirziyoyev noted that the documents signed during the first visit of the President of Kyrgyzstan will become an important factor of further development of friendship and cooperation between our countries. 

Sooronbay Jeenbekov noted that our people expected such agreements and it was pleasant for him to contribute to such a good deed that will enter the history of our relations. 

As it is known, the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev was awarded the "Danaker" Order for his great contribution to the development of bilateral relations. This order, which is one of the highest state awards of Kyrgyzstan, is awarded to people who contributed to strengthening peace, friendship and cooperation, preservation of interethnic harmony, development of science, rapprochement and enrichment of national cultures. 

Danaker means the "conciliator". The award is a high recognition of the merits of the Head of our state and his contribution to the development of relations between Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan, expansion and strengthening relations of friendship and good-neighborliness between the two countries and people. 

The President of the Kyrgyz Republic Sooronbay Jeenbekov solemnly presented the "Danaker" Order to the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev in Kuksaroy residence. 

UzA