The Head of nation Islam Karimov has met with Kazakhstan’s President Nursultan Nazarbayev on March 17.

At the official welcoming ceremony at Kuksaroy, a guard of honor lined up in tribute to the guest, and national anthems of the two countries got played when the heads of state raised to the podium. Presidents Karimov and Nazarbayev walked by the guard of honor.

At the talks tet-a-tet, the leaders discussed the current state and prospects of bilateral relations, cooperation within international organizations, as well as regional and international issues of mutual interest.

The presidents exchanged opinions on security issues. They stressed the need for joint actions to counter such threats as terrorism, extremism, drugs and arms smuggling, as well as proliferation of weapons of mass destruction.

President Karimov expounded on the Afghan problem. Achieving peace and stability in Afghanistan is a key condition in consolidating security and stability in Central Asia and other regions.

The leaders deliberated on bilateral and multilateral cooperation in providing for environmental, energy, and information security. At the same time, given the growing importance of food security, they consulted on issues of fighting against plant pests and diseases, as well as smuggling of contaminated products.

Islam Karimov and Nursultan Nazarbayev continued negotiations with the participation of official delegations of the two countries. The talks focused on trade and economic and humanitarian cooperation.

The ongoing financial and economic downturn in the world notwithstanding, the mutual trade between Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan has continued to increase, the sides said. Since 2007, the figures exceeded USD 1 billion annually. Notably, the share of raw materials has been decreasing, while that of industrial products with higher added value has grown.

The trade and economic cooperation is one of crucial aspects of relations between the nations. Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan possess a remarkable potential in this area that has scarcely been used to a full extent. Thus both sides expressed interest in increasing the volumes of bilateral trade and reviewing the export and import structure.

Uzbekistan produces aircraft, cars, buses, trucks, agricultural machinery, cable products and construction materials, processes cotton and silk, grows fruit and melons. Kazakhstan has a demand for these products. At the same time, there is an ample field of activity for Kazakh exporters in the Uzbek market.

Production, supply and transit of energy resources have also been a promising realm of cooperation since Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan are bulky in energy reserves. In 2009, a gas pipeline was laid from Turkmenistan to China through Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan, which is a bright example of thriving multilateral interaction.

Transport communications in the two countries allow for greater incomes from international transit. The use of automobile roads and railways as an interconnected and single system ought to be improved, and coordinated actions to ensure free and fast movement of export-import and transit cargoes are be continued.

The two governments have implemented the Economic Cooperation Program for 2006-2010 and the Economic Cooperation Strategy for 2007-2016. These documents outline prospective dimensions of bilateral interaction in trade, water and energy complex, investments and finance, transport and communications, customs, and innovations. Their completion will let the bilateral trade increase several times.

Parties to negotiations suggested that direct links be established between businesspeople, industrial enterprises and regions of Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan.

The economic, scientific, technical and intellectual potential of the two countries serve as reliable stronghold for creation of joint high-tech enterprises and production of high added value goods. Given that Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan boast colossal resources of raw materials, the added value could be increased substantially, especially in textile, chemical and oil and gas sectors.

Both nations’ scientific and economic potentials expose decent perspectives for efficient use of water resources, including melioration and irrigation. Development and introduction of water saving technologies and information exchange in this area remain rather imperative. This, in turn, helps address a number of environmental troubles.

Issues of rational use of water and energy resources in Central Asia have also been addressed during the negotiations. The sides stressed that interests and security of all nations of the region ought to be taken into account when constructing hydropower plants on transboundary rivers.

Cultural and humanitarian cooperation between the two countries covers science, education, arts, healthcare, tourism and sports. The Uzbek and Kazakh delegations exchanged views on boosting this aspect.

Following the negotiations, Islam Karimov and Nursultan Nazarbayev signed the Joint Communiqué of Presidents. Other documents included Intergovernmental Agreement on Allocation of Land for Diplomatic Missions; Program of Cooperation between Ministries of Foreign Affairs for 2010-2011; and Program of Cultural and Humanitarian Cooperation for 2010-2012.

At the press conference that followed the signing ceremony, the presidents declared that talks were constructive and open.

“Both Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan are interested in developing the mutual cooperation,” Islam Karimov said. “In 2009, the bilateral trade turnover totalled USD 1.3 billion, which is twice the 2006 figure.”

“Uzbekistan is a major country in Central Asia and center of ancient culture,” Nursultan Nazarbayev suggested. “Despite the world financial and economic crisis, the economy of Uzbekistan has shown a steady growth in 2009. Our countries have a notable potential for expansion of mutual cooperation.”

On the second half of the day, Presidents Islam Karimov and Nursultan Nazarbayev visited the Mustaqillik (Independence) Square in the center of Tashkent. The high guest laid flowers to the Monument of Independence and Humanism, which is a symbol of freedom, bright future and noble aspirations of the people.

The President of Kazakhstan also introduced to the recently erected “Uzbekistan” International Forums Palace. Nursultan Nazarbayev said he was impressed by the wide-scale construction and improvement works held in Tashkent.

The Kazakh head of nation visited Hazrati Imam (Hastimom) complex that includes Hazrati Imam mosque, Muyi Muborak madrassah and the unique manuscript of the holy Koran – Usman Mushafi.