The XI meeting of the Intergovernmental Council of Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan was held in Taraz

The 11th meeting of the Intergovernmental Council of Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan was held today in the city of Taraz (Republic of Kazakhstan) in narrow and expanded formats.

The meeting was chaired by the head of the Cabinet of Ministers of Kyrgyzstan, Akylbek Japarov, and the Prime Minister of Kazakhstan, Alikhan Smailov.

During the meeting, issues of Kyrgyz-Kazakh cooperation, including in trade and economic, water and energy, cultural, humanitarian and other spheres, were discussed.

Akylbek Japarov in his speech outlined the main directions of bilateral cooperation and priority areas of activity.

“I note with satisfaction the constant interdepartmental, intergovernmental and high level of dialogue between the two countries,” he said.

The head of the Cabinet of Ministers of the Kyrgyz Republic noted that in the field of trade, the growth rate of trade turnover between the two countries has increased.

“Given the untapped potential between our countries in these areas, we should not stop there. Therefore, the governments were tasked with bringing the volume of mutual trade turnover to $2 billion through the creation of joint ventures and projects in the field of logistics, industrial cooperation, agriculture, energy and transport,” said Akylbek Japarov.

It should be noted that at the end of 2022, the volume of trade turnover between Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan amounted to 1.2 billion US dollars, compared to 2021, this figure increased by 13.1%. For 7 months of 2023, the volume of trade turnover amounted to 759 million US dollars, compared to the same period last year, an increase of 13.1%.

In addition, Akylbek Japarov noted that in the future the two states need to join the global transport communications system.

“The implementation of the issue of constructing an industrial trade and logistics complex in the area of ​​the Karasuu and Ak-Tilek checkpoints will make it possible to use the existing potential between the two countries with high efficiency. The use of joint transport corridors by Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan will be beneficial for both states. In this context, it is necessary to ensure unhindered transit and prevent unreasonable checks and delays at the border,” the Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers of the Kyrgyz Republic emphasized.

In addition, it was noted that the parties are creating conditions for finding acceptable solutions on current and problematic issues of water and energy cooperation.

“In connection with the observed water shortage in recent years and taking into account the interconnection of our countries in the water and energy sector, energy supply issues are of particular importance. Of course, there are issues and they need to be resolved in a way that is mutually beneficial for both parties. At the same time, I want to emphasize that the Kyrgyz Republic is always ready to cooperate and clearly fulfills its obligations in the water sector,” said Akylbek Japarov.

In turn, the Prime Minister of Kazakhstan noted the readiness to further develop bilateral cooperation, promote and implement previously reached agreements for the benefit of the peoples of the two countries.

Let us note that the meeting of the Kyrgyz-Kazakh Intergovernmental Council took place 1.5 years ago. Following the 11th meeting of the Intergovernmental Council, the parties signed a protocol and determined that the next meeting of the council would be held in 2024 on the territory of Kyrgyzstan.

The minutes of the 11th meeting of the Intergovernmental Council include issues of cooperation in trade, economic, investment, agricultural, transport, water and energy, cultural, tourism and sports fields, as well as interregional cooperation.

Source: kabar.kg