Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev and Kyrgyz President Sadyr Japarov held talks today at the Rukh Ordo cultural center in Cholpon-Ata, the Uzbek president's press service reported.
The two leaders discussed prospects for developing Uzbek-Kyrgyz relations and expanding cooperation in priority areas.
Mirziyoyev noted that relations between Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan are now at a historic peak. Trade turnover has grown almost tenfold in recent years, reaching $1.2 billion last year. The two countries have established 450 joint ventures, and a development fund is now operating to support cooperation projects. Fifteen flight routes and five bus routes have been launched between their cities.
The presidents agreed to continue contacts at the level of parliaments, governments, ministries, agencies, and regions, as well as business and expert communities, and decided to establish an Interstate Council.
They also stressed the need to continue cooperation within international and regional bodies, including the United Nations, the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO), the Organization of Turkic States, and the Central Asia+Azerbaijan Summit.
As part of the goal of raising bilateral trade to $2 billion in the near future, the two sides will increase mutual supplies through active import substitution and open trade houses and representative offices in each other's capitals.
"Particular attention was paid to deepening industrial cooperation in priority areas, including joint projects in energy, geology, critical minerals, logistics, agriculture, pharmaceuticals, textiles, and other sectors," the presidential press service said in its statement.
Energy cooperation was identified as a strategic priority, with the presidents emphasizing the importance of promptly signing an agreement and beginning the practical phase of the Kambarata-1 hydropower plant project.
The two leaders also discussed the China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan railway project, agreeing to develop border and trade-logistics infrastructure along the route and to digitize permitting procedures.
It was decided to hold the first Regional Forum before the end of the year, bringing together all regions of Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan.
Trade between Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan reached $1.2 billion in 2025, up 37% from $874.7 million in 2024. In the first half of this year, trade rose to $624.6 million, a 45% year-on-year increase.
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