On December 24 in Samarkand were held the talks between the Presidents of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoev and Kyrgyzstan Almazbek Atambayev, the press service of the Presidency of Uzbekistan said.

The two leaders discussed the issues of development of political dialogue and the ways to expand the economic relations and exchanged views on a number of regional and international issues.

The sides spoke about the problem of "creeping expansion" of extremism and religious radicalism in the region, and emphasized that in order to counter these threats and challenges. it is crucial to strengthen the cooperation in the field of security.

When discussing the situation in Afghanistan, the leaders noted that the achievement of peace and stability in this long-suffering land is the vital condition for the security of the whole region and implementation of promising and needed transport and communication projects and further economic development.

The Heads of States expressed their firm determination to adhere the line aimed at strengthening the good-neighborliness and mutually beneficial cooperation and to fill the Uzbek-Kyrgyz relations with quality content.

The Presidents expressed confidence that cooperation program between the foreign ministries will contribute to the formation of a new platform for political dialogue for the years 2016-2017.

When discussing trade and economic cooperation it was noted that, in spite of the 23 percent growth in trade turnover in 2016, the figures do not correspond to the real potential of the two countries.

The Presidents stressed the need to jointly take measures to significantly expand the range and increase bilateral trade to $ 500 million over the next two years.

Shavkat Mirziyoyev proposed to supply to Kyrgyzstan, the modern agricultural machinery, cars and trucks, buses manufactured in Uzbekistan, which should be supplemented by servicing.

Kyrgyz partners has also been proposed - nitrogen, phosphate, potash and compound complex fertilizers, electrical equipment - from transformers to all kinds of cable and wire products, home appliances, as well as ready garments, building materials, medicines, furniture and educational and laboratory equipment, other industrial products.

In turn, the Kyrgyz side can revise the range and arrange the supply of products in demand in Uzbekistan. To this end, it is required to establish the long-term cooperation between the relevant bodies of the two countries.

The development of efficient transport corridors in the region is the strategic vector of economic cooperation. Thus, the creation of the shortest railway route linking Central Asia with China through Kyrgyzstan, will significantly increase the transit potential of not only our two countries but also the entire region. Shavkat Mirziyoyev said that Uzbek specialists are ready to participate in the design and construction of the Kyrgyzstan section of the corridor.

Shavkat Mirziyoyev and Almazbek Atambayev expressed confidence that the agreements reached during the talks will raise bilateral relations to a qualitatively new level and will serve as the opening of a new page of mutual cooperation.