President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev and President of Kyrgyzstan Almazbek Atambaev held talks yesterday in Bishkek.
Following the talks the two leaders made statements in a press conference, and repeatedly called the talks as historic and a breakthrough. "There were a lot of issues that for 25 years seemed to have been resolved, but in fact were not in a way that would suit the ordinary citizens of the two friendly nations," Shavkat Mirziyoyev. - The spirit of our Samarkand meeting laid the foundation for our new partnership, from that day we began to cooperate. Our people have been waiting for this day for many years."
President of Uzbekistan reminded of the visits of the Kyrgyz delegation to Uzbekistan and the Uzbek delegation to Kyrgyzstan. "When the first delegation visited Uzbekistan, everyone in Fergana, Andijan, Namangan rejoiced of that historic day. Because history would not forgive us should we have failed to settle all the problems. The great Chingiz Aitmatov said that our people share the same blood and speak the same language."
"Today is a historic day, we are signing an agreement on boundary, you know we could have left everything as it was, but thanks to the political will of the heads of state we decided to turn this boundary into the boundary of friendship," Mirziyoyev said.
He continued that it is necessary to enhance parliamentary ties and people's diplomacy. For the first time Uzbekistan’s delegation includes four mayors - of the boundary cities and Tashkent. "We must create all facilities so that they [the heads of administrations] are able to resolve all issues by themselves, and not wait for instructions from the center."
"I want that Uzbek and Kyrgyz businesses could meet without any obstacles. If we do not interfere with their affairs, I am sure that they will handle everything by themselves .
"In a short period of time, we were able to significantly boost trade and economic ties. We have plans to raise the two-way trade up to $500 million," he said. According to UzA, in 2017, the trade between Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan grew by 60%.
"This is the day that our people have been waiting for over 20 years," Almazbek Atambaev said. "Shavkat Mironovich’s today's state visit to Kyrgyzstan will remove many questions, and in fact this visit opens a new era in the bilateral ties of the two fraternal people."
"There were many problems, obstacles in the history of the two countries, but they were resolved. Today we have found mutual understanding absolutely on all issues," he said.
In October, the President of Kyrgyzstan is expected to visit Uzbekistan. Almazbek Atambayev said- “Prior to my visit, we should implement the agreements that were signed in Bishkek. It is necessary that our boundaries become as open as possible so that people travel freely. Our boundaries should not become the boundaries of conflict, but become a gateway to good-neighborliness, friendship".
"Today I was once again convinced that there are no unsolvable issues between us. It takes the desire, and a progressive leader as Shavkat Mironovich, whom everyone in Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan had been waiting for many years, "Almazbek Atambaev said.
"I want this boundary to become the boundary of friendship," Shavkat Mirziyoyev confirmed. The parties intend to settle the remainder of the boundary until the next meeting in Tashkent.
Shavkat Mirziyoyev said that serious agreements have been reached on water issues, on construction of Andijan-Osh-Kashgar highway, China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan railway and hydroelectric power stations in Kyrgyzstan. "We are ready to take the most active part. We should approach carefully, thoughtfully and reasonably to everything that is beneficial to both sides. And we need the construction of Kambar-Ata hydroelectric station, this station is a necessity," he said.
Following the talks, the Presidents of the two countries signed the Joint Statement, the Agreement on the Kyrgyz-Uzbek State Boundary and oversaw the signing of a number of bilateral accords.
