New Ambassador of Kazakhstan to Uzbekistan Zauitbek Turisbekov presented credentials to President of Uzbekistan Islam Karimov on 19 February.

Islam Karimov congratulated the ambassador with the appointment to the post and wished him success in his mission in Uzbekistan. The President expressed satisfaction with the development of the Uzbek-Kazakh relations and stressed that the cooperation was based on mutual respect and trust.

Zauitbek Turisbekov said he considered it his duty to assist further strengthening of the bilateral relations and he would do everything to implement his mission successfully.

Cooperation between Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan is based on the Eternal Friendship Treaty signed in 1998. During Islam Karimov’s visit to Kazakhstan in September 2006, the sides signed the protocol on creation of the Inter-state coordination council. The structure helps solve all issues related to cooperation in a timely manner.

The first session of the council took place in November 2006, during the visit of the President of Kazakhstan to Tashkent. In July 2007, when the Kazakh Prime Minister visited Tashkent, the council held its second session.

Kazakhstan is one of Uzbekistan large economic partners. In 2007, the mutual commodity turnover comprised more than USD 1 billion.

124 joint ventures with participation of Kazakh partners function in Uzbekistan. In Kazakhstan, about 100 joint ventures set up with Uzbek investors operate.

The two countries widely cooperate in the humanitarian sphere, too. Kazakh cultural centers operate in Uzbekistan, and Uzbek cultural centers in Kazakhstan.

UzA