TASHKENT, April 11. /Dunyo IA/. Today, the President of Kazakhstan, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, visits Uzbekistan on a working visit., reports Dunyo IA correspondent.

The current stage of relations between Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan is characterized by unprecedented dynamics and a transition to a comprehensive, steadily developing strategic partnership. A landmark event in the calendar of bilateral contacts will be the upcoming working visit of the President of Kazakhstan, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, to Uzbekistan on April 11, 2026, in the format of an informal high-level summit.

This visit is intended to consolidate the achievements made and define new horizons of cooperation amid a changing regional and global agenda. The foundation for the close rapprochement between the two countries lies not only in geographical proximity but also in shared approaches to security and sustainable development, making the alliance of Central Asia’s two largest states a key factor of stability in the entire region.

The establishment of modern diplomatic relations dates back to November 23, 1992. Over the past decades, the two sides have formed an extensive legal framework comprising 304 documents. A special place among them is occupied by the 2021 Declaration, the 2022 Treaty on Allied Relations, and the historic Treaty on State Border Delimitation. The intensity of high-level political dialogue is reflected in the regularity of state visits, with leaders exchanging visits to Astana and Tashkent on an annual basis since 2017.

Beyond formal protocol events, formats that strengthen personal trust between heads of state have become firmly established. Since 2023, three informal meetings have been held in Shymkent, Khiva, and Almaty, enabling leaders to discuss sensitive issues in a confidential atmosphere. At the same time, working-level engagements continue to develop actively, including participation in multilateral summits such as the meeting in Samarkand in April 2025 and the visits of the President of Uzbekistan to Astana in May and June of the same year. This multi-level system of communication confirms the shared strategic interests of the two fraternal nations.

An important component of political dialogue is inter-parliamentary cooperation, which has gained new qualitative depth in recent years. Its legal basis includes memoranda of cooperation signed between the upper chambers of parliament in 2017 and between the Legislative Chamber of Uzbekistan’s Oliy Majlis and the Mazhilis of Kazakhstan in 2018. A significant milestone was the establishment in 2022 of the Inter-Parliamentary Cooperation Council, which has become an effective platform for legislative harmonization and experience sharing.

The systemic nature of relations is reinforced by an extensive network of joint institutions, the key among them being the Joint Intergovernmental Commission on Bilateral Cooperation, operating since 1997. Since 2019, the status of this body has been elevated, with its meetings now held under the chairmanship of the prime ministers of both countries. On October 22–23, 2025, the 22nd meeting of the Commission took place in Khiva, marking an important stage in coordinating economic plans and deepening industrial cooperation.

Alongside government-level mechanisms, direct regional cooperation has been actively strengthened through the Forum of Interregional Cooperation. The successful holding of the fourth forum in Samarkand in October 2024 laid the groundwork for the fifth meeting, scheduled for 2026 in Kazakhstan. These mechanisms enable practical issues to be addressed at the regional level and stimulate the implementation of concrete investment projects on the ground.

Economic cooperation remains the driving force of bilateral relations, demonstrating steady growth even amid global instability. In 2025, bilateral trade reached $4.9 billion, a 12 percent increase compared to the previous year. Positive dynamics continued into 2026, with mutual trade reaching $414 million in January alone, reflecting a 31 percent increase. The strong foundation of cooperation is further confirmed by the scale of investment activity. Today, more than 1,200 enterprises with Kazakh capital operate in Uzbekistan, while 4,934 legal entities with Uzbek capital are active in Kazakhstan. To ensure effective coordination of these processes, a Special Intergovernmental Working Group on monitoring joint projects and import substitution was established in 2022 at the level of deputy prime ministers.

Cultural and humanitarian cooperation between Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan is based on the intergovernmental agreement of January 10, 1994. Numerous events, including exhibitions, festivals, tours, and forums, have been organized over the years, generating strong interest in both countries and contributing to the strengthening of humanitarian ties.

Today, these relations are given special depth by spiritual affinity, centuries-old cultural traditions, and the presence of Kazakh and Uzbek diasporas in both countries. More than 803,000 ethnic Kazakhs live in Uzbekistan, while over 624,000 Uzbeks reside in Kazakhstan. This “human bridge” serves as an important factor in vibrant exchanges. In 2023–2025, landmark events included Days of Kazakh Culture in Samarkand and Bukhara, Uzbek film days, and large-scale tours of the State Academic Bolshoi Theatre named after Alisher Navoi with the performance “Lazgi” in Astana and Almaty. The development of cooperation in arts, science, and tourism not only enriches national cultures but also creates a solid foundation for a long-term partnership based on mutual respect and sincere friendship between the two fraternal peoples.

Today, Tashkent and Astana are united by a deep understanding of the indivisibility of regional security and a strong convergence of approaches to pressing global challenges. The upcoming informal Uzbekistan–Kazakhstan high-level summit in Bukhara will undoubtedly allow the two sides to align positions in a time of global turbulence, reaffirm the resilience of bilateral relations, and provide new momentum to joint projects, transforming Central Asia into a space of stability, prosperity, and long-term good neighborliness.

Photo from the archive of the press-service of the President of Uzbekistan