The 11th meeting of the Kazakh-Kyrgyz Intergovernmental Council was held in Taraz with the participation of the Prime Minister of Kazakhstan Alikhan Smailov and the Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers - Head of the Presidential Administration of Kyrgyzstan Akylbek Japarov.

In the course of negotiations in narrow and enlarged compositions, the parties exchanged views on topical issues of bilateral cooperation.

The main topics of the Intergovernmental Council, which was also attended by the heads of the central government agencies of the two countries, were strengthening trade and economic cooperation, cooperation in the field of water use and energy, implementation of cooperation projects in industry and agro-industrial complex, development of transit and transportation potential of the republics, joint initiatives in tourism and culture.

Alikhan Smailov emphasized that thanks to the efforts of the heads of the two states, the Kazakhstan-Kyrgyzstan strategic partnership has gained high dynamics in recent years.

"For us Kyrgyzstan is not only a friendly neighbor and brotherly country, but also an important trade and economic partner," he noted.

Thus, mutual trade turnover between the republics is steadily growing. In 2022, the volume of trade increased by about 19% and reached $1.3 billion. At the same time, positive dynamics is observed this year: for 7 months, trade turnover increased by 13% and amounted to $757 million.

As Prime Minister noted, along with this cooperation in transit-transport, communication, tourism and other areas is developing. There are good prospects in the spheres of production cooperation, agriculture and digitalization.

In this context, he said, it is necessary to speed up the implementation of a number of important joint projects. In particular, the establishment of the Industrial Trade and Logistics Complex (ITLC) in the border areas in the near future will facilitate the implementation of new cooperation projects. It will also contribute to the achievement of the task set by the heads of the two states to increase trade turnover to $2 billion.

The Heads of Government of Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan also agreed to continue close cooperation in the water sector in the spirit of mutual respect and good neighborliness, taking into account the interests of both countries.

"It is extremely important to develop cooperation in the field of ecology and rational water use, which has a direct impact on the livelihoods of our citizens. In order to ensure equitable and transparent water management, we need an effective monitoring mechanism through digitization of interstate water canals. It is important to ensure the exchange of hydrological information, in particular, on inflow to reservoirs and water withdrawal throughout the basin," Prime Minister of Kazakhstan emphasized.

In his opinion, improvement of the legal mechanism for the joint use of water resources will contribute to the strengthening of mutually beneficial cooperation.

Head of the Government added that cultural and humanitarian cooperation is also actively developing.

"Held Days of Culture of Kazakhstan in Kyrgyzstan in 2021 and Kyrgyzstan in Kazakhstan in 2022 - strengthened our practical interaction and spiritual ties," Alikhan Smailov noted.

Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers - Head of the Administration of the President of Kyrgyzstan Akylbek Japarov recalled that during the recent mutual visits of the heads of the two states the main directions of bilateral cooperation were outlined.

"I am sure that together we will make maximum efforts to promote all our agreements for the benefit of the two brotherly peoples," he said.

Based on the results of the talks, the sides reaffirmed their readiness to maintain active contacts in all mutually beneficial areas of cooperation

#Alikhan Smailov #The Prime Minister of the Republic of Kazakhstan #International Cooperation #Trade and economic cooperation