The President of Uzbekistan, Shavkat Mirziyoyev during the talks in Astana with the Head of Kazakhstan, Nursultan Nazarbayev on Thursday noted that the relations between the two countries are at a new level, including in the international arena.

According to the UzA, the sides discussed the issues of expanding cooperation in various areas, as well as strengthening peace and security.

"Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan are close neighbors and time-tested partners. This was especially on full display after the passing of the First President Islam Karimov, when the people of Kazakhstan shared with us the bitterness of the loss and provided moral support, which the people of Uzbekistan will never forget. The cooperation between our countries has been developing on the basis of mutual trust and respect," Shavkat Mirziyoyev said.

"Kazakhstan wishes prosperity to our strategic partner, neighbor and fraternal people of Uzbekistan. In the future, we look forward to fruitful cooperation and already a great deal of work has been done to deepen the interstate partnership. In particular, there is a sharp increase in trade turnover between our countries, the cross-border flow has increased, new types of products are being supplied," the Kazakh President’s press service quoted Nursultan Nazarbayev.

"Your historic visit will be the beginning of a new stage of cooperation between our states," the President of Kazakhstan underscored.

Over the past five months, the trade turnover between the two countries has increased by 30%. 75 contracts are expected to be signed totaling $ 1 billion following the first business forum in Astana featuring over 500 Uzbek and Kazakh entrepreneur.

Also, the countries plan to create three joint trading houses specializing in food products, industry, pharmaceuticals, and oil and oil products. The trading houses will allow to trade in both directions in the simplified mode.

"Now we are negotiating the creation of a trading house specializing in light industry products," Altaev added.

In addition, today an agreement will be signed between the Kazakhstan's Foreign Trade Chamber and the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Uzbekistan on the creation of a Business Council. The Council will create a system for informing the business community of the two countries about all the events, forums and business meetings.

As it was noted during the meeting, the trade turnover in 2016 between Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan was about $US 1.5 billion. In the coming years it is planned to bring this figure to $US 5 billion.