Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan have elevated their bilateral relations to the level of alliance. President Shavkat Mirziyoyev called the move the result of "long, painstaking, and serious work," and said the new stage of cooperation would have the full backing of both nations' peoples.
July 30 marked a historic day for relations between Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan. President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, who is in the neighboring country on a state visit, made the announcement Thursday during a meeting with Kyrgyz President Sadyr Japarov.
"Today is a historic day. We are elevating our bilateral relations to the level of alliance. This is the result of our long, painstaking, serious work. And this historic day in the history of our bilateral relations will remain forever in the memory of our two peoples," he said.
The Uzbek leader noted that in recent days, Uzbek television channels have been extensively covering Kyrgyzstan and the development of ties between the two countries.
"People are responding with such warmth to the successes achieved under your leadership, to the reforms underway in Kyrgyzstan — they are simply overjoyed. And it gives me great pleasure that our two peoples are finding common ground and achieving major successes together," Mirziyoyev said.
He added that the shift to an alliance would form the foundation for even closer ties between the two nations going forward.
"And today, when people watch on television and learn that we are elevating our relations to an alliance, this will be a source of support for both peoples — a real, lasting step toward bringing our two nations closer together," the president said.
Mirziyoyev described Kyrgyzstan as "a reliable partner of Uzbekistan, tested by time," and reaffirmed his country's readiness to continue backing the reforms underway in its neighbor.
"As I've already said, Uzbekistan will continue to comprehensively support your reform programs, because we need a strong Kyrgyzstan — a strong neighbor is very important to us," he stressed.
The Uzbek president also pointed to Kyrgyzstan's steady economic growth, its expanding industrial capacity, rising real incomes, and large-scale construction activity.
"We see how many cranes are up, how much housing is being built. It's a pleasure to watch, and as close neighbors and close friends, we're genuinely happy for you and wish you continued success," Mirziyoyev said.
Ahead of the summit, the two countries held a meeting of their intergovernmental commission, a business forum, a forum of university rectors, and a meeting of policy analysts. The president expressed confidence that the outcomes of the talks would further strengthen friendship, good-neighborliness, and allied relations between the two countries.
At the same meeting, President Japarov announced that Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan would sign documents finally settling outstanding border issues and doubling the number of border crossing points between the two countries, from 15 to 30. He also announced a decision to open a Kyrgyz consulate-general in Andijan.
As previously reported, the presidents' talks focused heavily on expanding cooperation in energy, trade, and logistics. The two heads of state signed a Treaty on Allied Relations between Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan. Their delegations also exchanged a number of bilateral documents, including an agreement on sections of the Uzbek-Kyrgyz state border and a deal on the joint use of the Chashma spring.
Trade turnover between Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan reached $1.2 billion in 2025, up 37% from 2024's $874.7 million. Trade grew further in the first half of this year, reaching $624.6 million — a 45% increase year-on-year.
Stay up to date with all the latest news:
