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President Islam Karimov wraps up his official visit to Kazakhstan |
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Friday, 25 April 2008The President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Islam Karimov arrived with an official visit to the Republic of Kazakhstan on 22 April. The visit of the head of the state started off with an official reception ceremony in the Akorda residence.
The guard of honour was lined up in the honour of the high-ranked guest. The President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Islam Karimov and the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan Nursultan Nazarbayev walked up on stage. The state hymns of the two countries were heard. The Presidents walked down the line of the guard of honour, UzA repoted.
The Presidents then had a face to face talk. They exchanged opinions on the current conditions and the prospects of the development of bilateral relations, discussed the issues concerning cooperation within the frame of the international structures, such as the UN, the SCO, the CIS, regional security as well as the problems of international and regional scale of mutual interest to the parties.
Islam Karimov noted that this visit provided an excellent opportunity for the discussion of the issues concerning bilateral cooperation and the problems of regional security. Uzbekistan highly values the interaction with Kazakhstan, paying special attention to the development of relations with this country which is "our important and largest partner in the Central Asian region."
Nursultan Nazarbayev warmly greeted Islam Karimov noting that Kazakhstan had the same feelings about Uzbekistan.
"The relations between the Uzbek and the Kazakh nations have deep roots. We have common literary heritage, traditions and customs, similar histories and culture, language and religious beliefs. The relations between Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan are based on the principles of good neighbourly feelings, friendship and brotherhood, mutual trust and respect.
During the March 2006 Summit in Tashkent Islam Karimov and Nursultan Nazarbayev signed a Joint Communiqu+® envisaging the creation of the Interstate Coordination Council under the patronage of the Presidents. This organ serves for the fast and efficient solution of the urgent issues concerning the relations between Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan.
During the talk in the Akorda residence, the parties discussed the issues concerning the development of bilateral relations. Islam Karimov and Nursultan Nazarbayev noted that the potential of the cooperation between Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan is not being used fully. Regular summits make it possible to open new cooperation horizons, create a good opportunity for the consideration of prospective plans, and from this point of view current talks are extremely important.
Presidents agree on the issues of maintaining security. It is necessary to conduct joint work on prevention of such threats as terrorism, extremism, drug trafficking, trade in arms, spread of weapons of mass destruction, etc. Islam Karimov's idea to create a zone free of nuclear weapons in Central Asia had been supported by all countries of the region and successfully implemented. Along with this, Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan cooperate in the field of information, energy and ecological security on bilateral and multilateral basis. In the agricultural sphere, joint work has been set up to fight agricultural pests and diseases.
Emphasizing the importance of the issues of regional security Islam Karimov noted that in coping with the challenges and threats Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan carry special responsibility. Uzbekistan has always supported close cooperation with the countries of the region, primarily Kazakhstan, in strengthening stability and security.
The Uzbek leader emphasized that the restoration of peace in Afghanistan was an important factor in strengthening the security and stability in Central Asia. In this context it would be reasonable to revive the talks on the subject of Afghanistan within the frame of the 6+2 contact group that operated under the aegis of the UN in 1997-2001. During the recently held NATO/EAPC Summit in Bucharest Islam Karimov proposed and called on to the North-Atlantic Alliance to take part in the work of this group.
President Islam Karimov noted that Uzbekistan stood for the development of contacts Kazakhstan and with other countries within the frame of international organizations, and that it is important to coordinate the regional policy of the countries and for this purpose it is essential to arrange regular consultation sessions between the foreign political agencies of these countries.
The talks between the Presidents were continued in the expanded regime. Particular attention was paid to the issues of cooperation in trade-economic and humanitarian spheres.
The economic relations between Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan are regulated by the Agreement on Free Trade signed in 1997. Bilateral trade volumes are rising steadily. In particular, in 2006 an increase of 39.1% was recorded. And in 2007 the volume of bilateral trade grew by 63.3% to US$1.19 billion. In other words the two countries have overcome the 1 billion line for the first time. At the same time the surplus for Uzbekistan made up US$129.5 million.
Islam Karimov pointed out that trade cooperation was one of the main components of the relations between the two states, and was an important factor in further development of bilateral ties. In this sense, Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan have extensive opportunities. In order to increase the volume of bilateral trade the countries should once again review the list of goods traded.
The two countries indeed complement each other economically. For instance, Uzbekistan manufactures airplanes, automobiles, buses, trucks, agricultural technology, cables, construction materials, cotton, silk, fruit and vegetables, and melons and gourds. There is therefore great space for the expansion of cooperation in trade.
Natural resources are also an integral part of the cooperation. The parties are equally interested in scientific and practical solution of such issues, as transportation of oil and gas.
Transport communication of both countries makes it possible to increase the revenue from international transit. There is a need to improve the use of motor and railroads as an integral system and to continue the systematic, consistent work to ensure free and high-speed movement of export and import, and transit goods. Islam Karimov also suggested increasing the provision of preferences.
The Programme of Economic Cooperation between the Republic of Uzbekistan and the Republic of Kazakhstan for 2006-2010 and a Strategy of Economic Cooperation for 2007-2016 have been signed. These papers outline the prospective areas of bilateral cooperation in the fields of trade, water and energy complex, investments and finance, transportation and communication, customs, and innovation. The implementation of these documents will provide an opportunity to raise the bilateral trade indicators several times.
Joint ventures play the most important role in the expansion of the scale of economic cooperation. The total of 167 enterprises fully or partially based on Kazakh capital operates on the territory of Uzbekistan. Another 54 Kazakh companies and firms, and the Development Bank of Kazakhstan have representative offices in the country. Also, 94 companies opened in partnership with Uzbek investors operate in Kazakhstan.
As noted during the talks, these indicators do not correspond to the economic, scientific-technological and intellectual potential of the two countries. There is a high need to develop direct contacts between the entrepreneurs, production enterprises, and regions. At the same time the agreement on cooperation signed between the trade and industry chambers of the countries should be used more effectively.
In 2006, the Presidents noting the existence of the opportunities for the increase of the volume of bilateral trade to the level above US$1 billion, instructed the concerned ministries and agencies on achievement of this target. In 2007 this target was met. It is therefore evident that the gradual transition to consistent practical implementation of all strategic agreements will lead to positive results.
Economic, scientific-technological, and intellectual potential of both countries will provide a solid foundation for the joint organization of enterprises employing advanced technology, establishment of productions with the higher value added, particularly in the textile, chemical, and petrochemical industries.
The scientific and economic potential of Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan opens good opportunities for the effective use of water resources. There is no need to speak of the importance of communication in the fields of land-reclamation and irrigation. At this time on top of the agenda are the issues concerning the development and integration of water saving technology, and sharing of experience and information on this topic. This would help solve a number of ecological and social problems. In particular, active participation of the representatives from Kazakhstan in the international conference on the problem of the Aral Sea in Tashkent illustrates the potential of expanding the cooperation in this area.
Islam Karimov has suggested developing a bilaterally agreed policy to prevent any worsening of the water supply to the countries of the region.
Cultural-humanitarian contacts, particularly in the fields of science, education, cultural and art, healthcare, tourism and sport are being developed. New contacts are being established between the scientific institutions; and teacher and student exchange and sharing of study-methodological materials are being arranged. In particular in 2006 a Memorandum on Cooperation was signed between the Mamun's Academy of Khorezm and the Institute of Oriental Studies named after Suleymanov of Kazakhstan, and in 2007 an Agreement on Bilateral Cooperation was signed between the Tashkent Architectural-Construction Institute and Kazakhstan Architectural-Construction Institute, and South-Kazakh State Institute named after Auezov.
The representatives of Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan regularly take part in different cultural events being organized in both countries. Thus, the artists from Kazakhstan constantly and actively participate in the International Musical Festival Shark Taronalari (Oriental Tunes), held biannually in the city of Samarkand.
The tours of theatrical troupes are organized. In September 2006 during the First International Theatrical Festival of Central Asian countries in Almaty the troupe of the Uzbek National Academic Drama Theatre was presented. A group of the Jizzakh Regional Musical Drama Theatre named after Yunus Rajabi participated in the Theatrical Spring 2007 International Festival in Chimkent, the Sabo Ensemble under the State Academic Bolshoy Theater named after Alisher Navoi took part in the Buran Bel International Dance Festival. Numerous cultural events were held in Uzbekistan. In 2007 the troupes of the Kazakh Musical Drama Theatre named after Kuanyshbaev, Kazakh Academic Drama Theatre named after Auezov, and the students of the Alma-Ata Choreography College performed in Tashkent.
During the talks the parties discussed the progress on the implementation of the Progrmame of Cultural-Humanitarian Cooperation for 2006-2008. They exchanged opinions on the issues of further activation of the relations in this direction.
During the meeting with the media Presidents Islam Karimov and Nursultan Nazarbayev noted that the talks had been conducted constructively, in the spirit of openness and mutual understanding. It was emphasized that the Astana Summit illustrated gradual development of the Uzbek-Kazakh relations, the commonness of the aspirations for their further intensification.
Islam Karimov expressed his opinion about the recent reports on the creation of the Union of Central Asian States. In particular, he said:
"Every country forms its attitude towards this issue based on its national interests and the opinion of its people. For Uzbekistan this initiative is unacceptable. I would like to flatly emphasize this once again. For the countries, particularly the countries that have abandoned the old system, and in particular the countries of Central Asia, the creation of a union would require first of all the comparability of the levels of their economic and social development and secondly the similarity of the courses of economic and political development, the courses of reforms. And from this point of view, I believe, we have not yet come to the point where we could be speaking of the creation of any union in our region. Moreover, we have been through this before. First the Central Asian Economic Community was formed and later the Organisation of Central Asian Cooperation was built on its base. In the end this structure was integrated into the Eurasian Economic Community."
The Uzbek leader noted that an agreement on the creation of a special task group to work out the papers stipulating the creation of a free economic zone for the purpose of increasing the volumes of bilateral trade between the countries had been achieved.
Nursultan Nazarbayev emphasized that during the talks the parties shared their opinions on the issues of political, economic and humanitarian cooperation, and the problems of regional security.
"The creation of a special task group for the development of documents on free economic zone suggested by the Uzbek party is another step on the way to developing our bilateral cooperation," Kazakh President said.
On 23 April, the second day of his stay in Kazakhstan, the President of Uzbekistan accompanied by his Kazakh counterpart visited the MEGA trading centre in Astana. The newly built centre has a lot of shops, bowling and table tennis rooms, cinema, etc.
After that the two presidents visited Neurosurgery Centre. While seeing the work of this medical establishment, the Uzbek leader showed interest in the conditions created here for patients and doctors, issues of medical workers' labour motivation. Islam Karimov noted that Uzbekistan has a number of specialized medical centres and emphasized that the expansion of cooperation in this direction and experience exchange would meet the interests of both sides.
On the same day the President of Uzbekistan wrapped up his official visit to the Republic of Kazakhstan. It should be noted that results of this visit have importance not only for the development of relations between the two states, but also for the strengthening of security and stability in Central Asia, expansion of political, economic and humanitarian ties.
The Kazakh community was very interested in the Uzbek leader's visit. The mass media of Kazakhstan covered widely and in details the visit. Thus, Egemen Kazakstan and Express-Kazakhstan newspapers noted especially that the visit was fruitful and effective, while the presidents discussed some topical issues concerning Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan.
April 25, 2008 |
Friday, 25 April 2008
UzReport.com
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