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Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan may be crucial for Central Asian stability |
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Wednesday, 23 April 2008President of Uzbekistan Islam Karimov has arrived in Astana with an official visit. In the Astana airport the guest was met by Prime Minister of Kazakhstan Karim Massimov and Vice Premier of Kazakhstan Umirzak Shukeyev.
Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan are able to play a key role in solution of the problem of Central Asian stability. President of Uzbekistan Islam Karimov made it public on 22 April during the negotiations with President of Kazakhstan Nursultan Nazarbayev, Kazinform reported.
"It is necessary to meet once again and define the priority tasks of the bilateral and multilateral cooperation. Sustainable development of Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan, issues on stability and safety in the region are of fundamental importance," Islam Karimov said.
"Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan may play a crucial role in solution of a number of principal matters, connected with the stability in the Central Asian region and prospects of its sustainable development," the Uzbek Leader added.
Nursultan Nazarbayev, in his turn, noted that Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan develop the economic cooperation. According to the statistics, the commodity turnover between the countries made up US$1.4 billion in 2007.
Uzbekistan numbers about 96 enterprises with the participation of Kazakhstan's capital. Kazakhstan has 715 small and medium undertakings with the participation of Uzbekistan's investments.
Growth of commodity turnover of Uzbekistan with Kazakhstan made up 63.3% following the results of 2007. This is the second index after Ukraine (69%).
According to Uzbek State Statistics Committee, Russia remains the main trade and economic partner of this country, although last year it had successful economic relations with Ukraine and Kazakhstan. Alongside with Russia, Kazakhstan enters the five partner-states of Uzbekistan (8.4% in total). The other three are Ukraine (7.5%), Turkey (5.3%) and China (5.3%).
The total volume of goods turnover of Uzbekistan increased by 27.4% in 2007 and made up US$14.2 billion. The share of exports was US$8.9 billion and that of imports ÔÇô US$5.2 billion.
"Kazakhstan is the most important and largest partner of Uzbekistan in Central Asian region," President of Uzbekistan Islam Karimov highlighted during the talks with President of Kazakhstan Nursultan Nazarbayev.
"Uzbekistan highly estimates and pays special attention to the development and widening of the relations with Kazakhstan, which is one of the most important and largest partners of our country in the region," he said.
"My visit is a good opportunity for discussion of a wide range of bilateral cooperation issues and exchange of opinions on the actual problems of the regional stability and international life," Karimov said. "It was very important for me to exchange opinions on the questions, which are very actual for our states".
Nursultan Nazarbayev urged the Central Asian states to solve the water-energy problems concurrently. "Naturally, we worry about the water-energy problems between our countries. We want to solve these problems concurrently in accordance with the international law," he said at a joint press conference following the results of the bilateral talks with President of Uzbekistan Islam Karimov.
"Water-energy problems are very important for Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan," Nazarbayev added. The negotiations concerning Central Asian countries' water provision are planned to be held in Bishkek at the end of April.
An initiative on creation of a Central Asian Union is irreceivable for Uzbekistan. President Islam Karimov told a joint press conference with President Nursultan Nazarbayev. "In order to establish a union between the states, their socioeconomic development level and potential should be comparable, especially speaking about Central Asia. Secondly, policy and directions the countries' leaders work at should be comparable as well," the President of Uzbekistan noted.
According to Islam Karimov, there are a lot of issues regarding these aspects of the Central Asian region, therefore it is early to speak on a union.
"Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan should jointly stand against new challenges," Nursultan Nazarbayev said. "Within bilateral negotiations we have discussed a wide range of issues regarding bilateral relations, situation in our region and in the whole in the CIS and our positions in the rapidly changing world. We spoke on new challenges which Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan should jointly stand against and go ahead together, overcoming difficulties and strengthening our independence, closeness and trust between our nations".
Kazakh President expressed confidence that this visit will become "a new impetus for further development of Kazakhstan's friendly relations with Uzbekistan".
On the same day, Presidents of Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan Nursultan Nazarbayev and Islam Karimov visited some Astana objects. In particular, the presidents called on the "Mega Astana" shopping mall and the republican scientific centre of neurosurgery. The latter object will be put into commission by the 10th anniversary of the capital. "I think it will become one of the best centers of Kazakhstan and may be the worldwide," Nursultan Nazarbayev told a briefing.
April 23, 2008 |
Wednesday, 23 April 2008
UzReport.com
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