ТАSHKENT, July 30. /Dunyo IA/. On July 30^th – August 1^st, President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev will pay a state visit to Kyrgyzstan and attend an Informal Consultative Meeting of the Heads of State of Central Asia and Azerbaijan, reports Dunyo IA correspondent.

Current stage of Uzbek-Kyrgyz relations is characterized by a high level of political trust, an active interstate dialogue and the consistent expansion of cooperation across all key areas. Thanks to the firm political will of the leaders of the two countries, the interaction has acquired a qualitatively new character based on the principles of good-neighbourliness, mutual respect and consideration of shared interests.

Diplomatic relations between Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan were established on February 16^th, 1993. Over the years, a solid legal framework has been developed, and an effective system of bilateral cooperation has been established.

A new stage in Uzbek-Kyrgyz cooperation began with the intensification of mutual visits in 2017. In January 2023, Declaration on Comprehensive Strategic Partnership was signed, marking an important milestone in the further deepening of relations between the two countries.

Interparliamentary cooperation is carried out on the basis of the Memorandum on Interparliamentary Cooperation signed in 2017. Since 2020, the Interparliamentary Commission on Cooperation between the Legislative Chamber and Senate of the Oliy Majlis of Uzbekistan and the Jogorku Kenesh of the Kyrgyz Republic has been functioning. In May 2026, the first Forum of Young Parliamentarians of Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan was held in the city of Tashkent.

Economic cooperation remains one of the most dynamically developing areas of the Uzbek-Kyrgyz partnership. In 2025, the trade turnover between the two countries reached $1.2 billion, increasing by 37 percent compared to 2024. From January to June 2026, the volume of bilateral trade amounted to $624.6 million, exceeding the figure for the same period of 2025 by 45 percent.

Structure of Uzbekistan’s exports to Kyrgyzstan includes finished industrial goods, food products, chemical products, machinery, and equipment. Imports from Kyrgyzstan consist of mineral fuels, food products, industrial goods and transport equipment.

Uzbek-Kyrgyz Business Council has been operating since 2018. Its activities contribute to expanding contacts between business communities, implementing joint investment initiatives and identifying new areas for economic cooperation.

Transport and logistics cooperation occupies a priority place on the agenda of Uzbek-Kyrgyz relations. Interaction in the fields of road, rail, and air transportation is developing consistently, while transport infrastructure is being improved and modern digital solutions are being introduced to facilitate cross-border movement.

From January to June 2026, the volume of freight transportation between the two countries increased by 32 percent. Since 2026, the electronic system for the exchange of permitting documents, “E-Permit”, has been introduced.

Passenger transportation links are also being consistently expanded. Regular bus routes operate between the cities of the two countries, while air services are available on the Tashkent–Bishkek and Tashkent–Osh routes.

Of particular importance for further strengthening regional connectivity is the ongoing construction of the China–Kyrgyzstan–Uzbekistan international railway. The implementation of this large-scale infrastructure project will significantly reduce cargo delivery times between East Asia, the countries of the Middle East, and Southern Europe, enhance the transit potential of Central Asia, and create new opportunities for the development of trade, investment and international logistics.

Cultural and humanitarian cooperation holds a special place in Uzbek-Kyrgyz relations. Cultural Days, joint concerts, theatrical performances, festivals, exhibitions and other events aimed at promoting the cultural heritage of the two peoples are held on a regular basis. Representatives of Kyrgyzstan actively participate in major international cultural forums and festivals organized in Uzbekistan, including the International Makom Art Festival, “Lazgi” Festival and other significant cultural events.

On July 27–28th, 2026, Days of Culture of Uzbekistan were held in Cholpon-Ata. A representative creative delegation from Tashkent headed by the Minister of Culture of Uzbekistan, People’s Artist Ozodbek Nazarbekov, arrived to participate in the events.

Cooperation in the tourism sector is also developing dynamically. Kyrgyzstan is among the largest source countries for tourists visiting Uzbekistan, while the number of mutual trips continues to grow annually, demonstrating the increasing interest of citizens of both countries in each other’s cultural and tourism potential.

An important stage in the further strengthening of regional cooperation, in which Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan are actively engaged, will be the upcoming informal Consultative Meeting of the Heads of State of Central Asia and Azerbaijan, to be held on July 31 in the city of Cholpon-Ata.

Organization of the meeting in this format reflects the growing role of Central Asia as a space of trust and good-neighbourliness, as well as the commitment of the states of the region to jointly advancing connectivity, sustainable development and constructive dialogue.

Ahead of the summit, President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev, speaking at the 4th Shusha Global Media Forum, placed particular emphasis on the priority nature of relations with Uzbekistan and highlighted the contribution of President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev to the development of the new “Azerbaijan – Central Asia” cooperation format. According to the Azerbaijani leader, it was the foresight and strategic vision of the President of Uzbekistan that played an important role in establishing this mechanism, which today contributes to strengthening political, economic and transport connectivity across Central Asia and the South Caucasus. In this regard, the upcoming meeting in Cholpon-Ata is expected to provide new impetus to the development of regional cooperation and reaffirm the commitment of the participating states to a common path towards peace, good-neighbourliness and shared prosperity.

Photo from the archive of the Press Service of the President of Uzbekistan