Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) -- Ex-adviser to the Prime Minister of Kyrgyzstan, expert on economics and transport Kubatbek Rakhimov shared such an assessment of Uzbek-Kyrgyz cooperation at a video conference on the prospects for cooperation between Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan, organized on 13 March by the Institute for Strategic and Interregional Studies under the President Republic of Uzbekistan.

The Kyrgyz analyst believes that the signing of the Agreement in the field of energy between the relevant departments of the two countries opens up completely new prospects for the implementation of joint projects in this area. According to the expert, against the background of an increase in coal production in Kyrgyzstan by 4 times over the past 10 years, it is necessary to consider the issue of joint construction of thermal power plants (TPP) in Kyrgyzstan. This, according to K. Rakhimov, will provide water to Uzbekistan during the growing season and electricity to Kyrgyzstan in winter.

As another promising area of cooperation between Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan, K. Rakhimov singled out the sphere of industrial cooperation and joint access with products to the sales markets of third countries. At the same time, the capabilities of the Kyrgyz side in the Eurasian Economic Cooperation Commission can play an important role.

In this context, the agreement reached on accelerating the practical implementation of the China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan railway project is also very relevant. According to the expert, Uzbekistan, which has solid experience in the field of railway construction, could play an important role in the implementation of this project. So, it is advisable for the parties to study the issue of creating a design Institute in Kyrgyzstan, which will design the construction of railways and organize joint training on the basis of the Tashkent State Transport University, which has a high potential.

More than 20 prominent scientists and experts from leading research institutes and analytical centers of Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan, such as the National Institute for Strategic Studies, the Diplomatic Academy of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Kyrgyz Republic, the Pikir Club of Regional Experts, the Public Fund for Cross-Border Research Central Eurasia Network, Kyrgyz-Russian Slavic University, Kyrgyz National University attended the event.

The Uzbek side at the event was represented by leading analysts from the Institute for Strategic and Interregional Studies under the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan, the Center for Economic Research and Reforms, the International Institute of Central Asia, the Information and Analytical Center for International Relations.