Expert Council of Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan meet to boost bilateral ties.
The first meeting of the Uzbekistan-Kyrgyzstan Expert Council was held on September 24 in Cholpon-Ata, Kyrgyzstan, bringing together prominent experts from both countries. Led by Eldor Aripov, Director of the Institute for Strategic and Interregional Studies (ISRS), the Uzbekistan delegation participated alongside representatives from Kyrgyzstan’s National Institute for Strategic Initiatives under the President and experts from the Azerbaijani Center for Analysis of International Relations.
The focus of the inaugural session was on evaluating the outcomes of Kyrgyz President Sadyr Japarov’s recent state visit to Uzbekistan and exploring new opportunities for future cooperation between the two nations. Discussions highlighted the potential for enhanced collaboration in various sectors such as trade, economic relations, and regional connectivity.
Eldor Aripov highlighted the positive developments in trade and economic cooperation between Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan. He specifically mentioned the reopening of the “Korasu-Karasuu” border crossing, which had been closed since 2010. This reopening has significantly increased the movement of people between the Andijan region in Uzbekistan and the Osh region in Kyrgyzstan. Additionally, new customs posts connecting the Namangan and Jalalabad regions have been opened, with the capacity to accommodate thousands of individuals and vehicles daily.
Aripov also emphasized the economic benefits of these developments, including the potential for shorter transit routes. For example, the reopening of the “Korasu” border post has reduced the Osh-Jalalabad route by 101 kilometers, providing a more efficient transit route through Uzbekistan.
Sanjar Mukanbetov, Director of the National Institute for Strategic Initiatives in Kyrgyzstan, praised the high level of cooperation between the two nations, attributing it to the trust and camaraderie between the leaders of Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan.
The establishment of the Uzbekistan-Kyrgyzstan Expert Council follows the signing of a memorandum on July 30, 2023, aimed at strengthening cooperation between the two countries. This council now serves as a crucial platform for experts to support the agreements made during the high-level summit between Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan in July 2023.
