Strategic Partnership - The Times Of Central Asia

Viewing results 1 - 6 of 13

Uzbekistan and Turkey Deepen Strategic Partnership

On 6 June, President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev and President of Türkiye Recep Tayyip Erdogan signed a Joint Declaration in Ankara on deepening the comprehensive strategic partnership between the two nations. During the third meeting of the Uzbek-Turkish High-Level Strategic Cooperation Council, chaired by the presidents, Mirziyoyev emphasized that the establishment of the Strategic Cooperation Council “opened a new page in the history of Uzbek-Turkish relations and gave a powerful impetus to the further development of partnership in all areas.” It was stated that in recent years, trade turnover between Uzbekistan and Turkey has increased 1.5-fold, the number of joint ventures has doubled, and Turkish investments in the Uzbek economy has grown 2.5-fold. Ninety flights operate weekly between the countries’ major cities and the number of Turkish tourists in Uzbekistan has tripled. The two countries now aim to increase the volume of bilateral trade turnover to five billion dollars in the shortest possible time. Leading Turkish companies as Cengiz Holding, Aksa Energy, Çalık Holding, Akay Inşaat, Anadolu Group, Özgüven, and Eczacıbaşı Holding are currently implementing over 100 projects in Uzbekistan and during President Mirziyoyev’s visit, a portfolio of new investment projects worth $10 billion was formed. The agenda focused on strengthening industrial cooperation, deepening the localization of production of goods with high added value, and joint entry into the markets of third countries. Emphasis was also placed on the need to reduce customs tariffs within the framework of the Agreement on Preferential Trade and on the introduction of a trade mission of Uzbekistan in Istanbul. The importance of cooperation in increasing the transport and logistics potential of the two countries, including effective harnessing of opportunities of the Middle Corridor, was discussed. In recognition of his role in their countries’ allegiance, President Erdogan awarded President Mirziyoyev with the Order of the Republic; the highest state order awarded to foreign nationals by the President of Turkey. Thanking the president, Mirziyoyev announced: “It is a great honor for me to receive such a high award from the Republic of Turkey on the day of signing the Declaration on Deepening the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between our countries. This award is a symbol of thousands of years of fraternal ties between our peoples, confidential dialogue at the highest level, as well as rapidly developing multifaceted bilateral relations.”

Bilateral Cooperation Strategic Partnership U.S.

Kazakhstan and United States Strategic Partnership

On 31 May, Kazakhstan First Deputy Foreign Minister Akan Rakhmetullin and Assistant Secretary for the Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs Donald Lu attended the sixth meeting of the Enhanced Strategic Partnership Dialogue (ESPD) between Kazakhstan and the United States in Washington, According to Kazakhstan’s Foreign Ministry, summaries were provided on recent collaborative initiatives and views on current bilateral and regional issues were synchronized. Plans were outlined for further development and enhancement of the countries’ strategic partnership, with a special emphasis on aspects of political and economic cooperation, as well as the human dimension. The participants also discussed projected outcomes of the meeting in the U.S in March, between Deputy Prime Minister - Minister of Foreign Affairs of Kazakhstan Murat Nurtleu and Secretary of State Antony Blinken. Rakhmetullin drew attention to the alignment of the political and democratic transformations declared by President Tokayev on the main issues on the bilateral agenda. He then highlighted the importance of developing infrastructure projects and transportation routes as key elements of bilateral trade and economic interaction. The parties also discussed cooperation in the fields of energy and critical minerals. The American side praised the steady progress of the bilateral partnership, with reference to projects launched following the C5+1 Presidential Summit in September 2023. During their visit, the Kazakh delegation also attended separate meetings with leaders of U.S. Administration, the State Department, the Office of the Trade, and other relevant U.S. agencies. At a round table event with representatives of American civil society, the Kazakh side gave presentations on innovations in national legislation on the protection of human rights in the country. The meeting concluded with an agreement to further Kazakhstan – U.S. Enhanced Strategic Partnership Dialogue at a meeting scheduled for 2025 in Astana.

Strategic dialogue Strategic Partnership Environment UN Turkmenistan

Outcome of First Turkmenistan- UN Strategic Advisory Council Meeting

On May 3, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan hosted the first meeting of the Turkmenistan-UN Strategic Advisory Council. In addition to its approval of a Roadmap for the development of a new Framework Program for Cooperation in the Field of Sustainable Development between Turkmenistan and the UN for 2026-2030, the council discussed projects concerning youth policy, digitalization, demography, green energy, and climate change. Following the meeting, delegates signed official agreements on several projects. The Ministry of Environmental Protection of Turkmenistan and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (UN FAO) pledged their commitment to ‘Enhancing capacities for climate-resilient water management’; the Ministry of Agriculture of Turkmenistan and UN FAO, on ‘Developing digital solutions for sustainable pasture management’; and the Ministry of Finance and Economy of Turkmenistan and UN FAO, on ‘Development of the aquafeed value chain and aquatic animal health management capacity’. The Government of Turkmenistan and the UN Development Program also signed an agreement on the procurement of products for the control of infectious diseases in 2024-2025 for the Ministry of Health and Medical Industry of Turkmenistan.

Strategic Partnership USA Turkmenistan

Turkmenistan and USA Set to Strengthen Partnership

On 14 April, delegations led by Rashid Meredov, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan and John Pommersheim, US Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs, attended an annual political consultation in Ashgabat. The meeting focused on the current state and prospects for the development of Turkmen-American relations in political, trade, economic, ecology, culture, education, and humanitarian sectors. According to the Turkmen Foreign Ministry, both parties confirmed their commitment to cultural and educational programs, through monthly meetings, and approved a joint road map in the field of education. The American delegation welcomed Turkmenistan's accession to the Global Methane Commitment which underlines both countries’ determination to resolve environmental problems and create sustainable socio-economic development. The parties welcomed the establishment of inter-parliamentary cooperation as essential for maintaining contacts and coordinated approaches to resolving pressing issues.

Kazakhstan Uzbekistan Strategic Partnership

Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan Enhance Strategic Partnership

On April 5th, President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev and President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev met in Khiva to discuss further strengthening of the Kazakh-Uzbek strategic partnership and allied relations. The presidents exchanged views on a wide range of economic interactions, including increasing mutual trade, cooperation in the fields of energy, transport, water management, and the IT industry. It was reported that last year, bilateral trade turnover amounted to $4.4 billion, and joint projects are now being implemented in the fields of industry, energy, transport and logistics, and agriculture. The Kazakh-Uzbek portfolio currently includes 60 collaborative projects with investment exceeding $2.5 billion and the creation of more than 13 thousand jobs. Progress is also forging ahead on the construction of an International Centre for Industrial Cooperation between the two countries. The Kazakh president stated that Kazakh-Uzbek collaboration is a vital necessity, and only by working together can sustainable development be ensured. In this regard, Tokayev supported plans to adopt and implement a Program of Strategic Partnership and Allied Relations between Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan until 2034. The leaders also welcomed mutually beneficial initiatives between their countries’ railway administrations. Once in operation, the proposed joint venture will provide cargo terminals on the Kazakh-Chinese border and cargo transportation along the China-Kazakhstan-Uzbekistan route, as well as developments of the Trans-Afghan route.

Kazakhstan China Strategic Partnership

Kazakhstan and China Strengthen Strategic Partnership

On 29 March Kazakhstan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Murat Nurtleu visited China for the first meeting concerning the establishment of the Strategic Dialogue between Kazakhstan and China. Following discussions with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on political, trade, economic, investment, and cultural cooperation, Minister Nurtleu reported: “We attach great importance to the development of relations with Beijing. We have established a comprehensive strategic partnership, which is being strengthened through personal friendly contacts of our leaders.” Citing the fact that in 2023, China became the Kazakhstan’s largest trading partner, with an increase in turnover of bilateral trade of over 30% to 41 billion US dollars, he emphasized the need for further promotion of joint economic, transport and logistics projects within the framework of China’s Belt and Road initiative. In turn, the Chinese Foreign Minister stated, “Kazakhstan is our authoritative strategic partner in the region” and announced that China is ready to fully strengthen and enhance cooperation with Kazakhstan. The ministers also noted that the significant intensification of cooperation between the two countries was largely due to the introduction of the mutual visa-free regime implemented in November last year.