Today, the President Shavkat Mirziyoyev and the Tajik President Emomali Rahmon held private talks and co-chaired the inaugural meeting of the Supreme Bilateral Council in Tashkent, the presidential press service said.
"Today we are opening the first ever meeting of the Supreme Bilateral Council, which will undoubtedly upgrade the bilateral ties to a new level and will serve to enrich Uzbek-Tajik relations of strategic partnership and alliance with breakthrough initiatives," said Shavkat Mirziyoyev.
Meeting of the intergovernmental commission, an industrial exhibition, and forums of regions, rectors, scientists, youth, and think tanks were held in preparation for the talks. Days of Tajik Culture and Cinema are currently taking place in Uzbekistan.
During the meeting, the parties discussed new areas of cooperation, analyzed the untapped potential, and decided to increase the two-way trade, stimulate industrial cooperation, strengthen transport connectivity, and enhance water and energy security.
Last year, the bilateral trade reached almost $1 billion. The presidents explored opportunities to increase the trade to $2 billion by 2030. To this end, the parties agreed to expedite the creation of the Oybek-Fotekhobod border trade center, implement digital product certification systems and E-Permit permit exchange scheme, and modernize border checkpoints.
The leaders noted the importance of expanding the capital of the joint investment company to support promising projects and discussed prospects for cooperation in energy, water management, transport, and many other areas.
They also agreed to give further impetus to ties between the provinces of the two countries and encourage humanitarian, educational, and scientific exchanges. Given the presence of large diasporas, the parties intend to adopt a five-year action plan to enhance cultural and humanitarian ties.
The leaders also discussed the international agenda. They noted the importance of continuing dialogue and mutual support within multilateral bodies and regional formats in Central Asia, and decided to step up security cooperation.
