The Prime Minister of the Republic of Uzbekistan Abdulla Aripov noted that the visit of the Kyrgyz delegation is a confirmation of the firm readiness of the parties to continue efforts to strengthen mutually beneficial cooperation based on good-neighborliness and mutual respect.

"It is gratifying that in a short period bilateral relations between our states have significantly intensified, and there is an exchange of governmental delegations. We are connected by the common centuries-old history, similar cultural and spiritual values, traditions and customs. Uzbekistan remains committed to an open, friendly policy towards its closest neighbors, including Kyrgyzstan, which is close to us, "Abdulla Aripov said.

He said that the mutual relations of the two fraternal peoples are gaining new momentum every day, their further development, according to him, will contribute to the improvement of transport communications, the press service of the Cabinet of Ministers of Kyrgyzstan said.

Abdulla Aripov informed about the active preparations for holding the days of Kyrgyzstan’s culture in Uzbekistan. At the same time, it is planned to hold jubilee events on the territory of the country on the occasion of the 90th anniversary of the Kyrgyz writer Chyngiz Aitmatov.

The Head of the Government of the Kyrgyz Republic Sapar Isakov stressed that the citizens of the two countries are satisfied with the positive processes observed recently between Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan.

"Of course, I would like to highlight those steps that were initiated by the presidents of the two countries in 2017. They opened the way for our today’s meetings, discussing pressing regional issues. At the same time, very important treaties between our countries have been signed recently. We need to continue to work at such a fast pace. In addition, we cannot but rejoice over the fact that important agreements have already been reached at the level of the commission, "Sapar Isakov said.

The Prime Minister focused on the fact that today’s format of communication will reduce barriers and create conditions for improving mutually beneficial cooperation between the regions of the two countries.

The Head of the Government of Kyrgyzstan underlined that there is a great potential between the countries for economic, cultural and humanitarian cooperation, which must be developed in the interests of the peoples of the two countries.

Sapar Isakov stressed that in order to increase the mutual communication between the countries, the border checkpoints are additionally installed at the Dostuk-road checkpoint.

During the meeting, the hokims of the Ferghana, Andijan and Namangan regions delivered speeches from the Uzbek side, which provided information on achievements and trade and economic opportunities of the regions.

In their speech, they expressed their readiness for further close cooperation with the border regions of Kyrgyzstan.

The plenipotentiary representatives of the Government of the Kyrgyz Republic in Jalal-Abad, Osh and Batken provinces also made presentations on investment opportunities of each region and briefly presented the trade and economic opportunities of the regions.

During the meeting, issues of implementation of a number of agreements on interregional cooperation, expansion of trade-economic and investment cooperation, deepening cultural and humanitarian ties, improving the conditions for crossing the sections of the state border and other topical issues of bilateral cooperation were considered.

At the end of the meeting, the parties also discussed in detail the opportunities for increasing trade and economic turnover, in particular the creation of joint ventures in the mining industry, light industry and tourism.

According to the data of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Uzbekistan, during the meeting of the Council, issues of implementation of a number of agreements on interregional cooperation, expansion of trade-economic and investment cooperation, deepening cultural and humanitarian ties, improving the conditions for citizens to cross the sides of the Uzbek-Kyrgyz state border and the functioning of checkpoints, as well as other relevant aspects of bilateral relations were discussed.

It is noted that in the past relatively short period of cooperation between the border regions of the two countries has acquired a dynamic character. In particular, in 2018, on the eve of the Navruz celebrations, visits were made by the delegations of Batken region to Ferghana region, Jalal-Abad region to Namangan region and the city of Osh to the city of Andijan. At the same time, mutual trade and cultural and humanitarian ties are developing between the regions.

Also within the framework of the Council, a joint exhibition of export-oriented products of the Ferghana, Namangan and Andijan regions was organized, as well as a dialogue between representatives of business circles of the two countries in the format of a direct business dialogue - B2B.

The parties expressed their mutual interest and further directed all efforts to further deepen and expand cooperation in all areas between the border regions, paying special attention to the development of human ties. At the moment, several checkpoints have been opened at the State border. Work in this direction will be continued.

As a result of the meeting, the final protocol of the first meeting of the Council of Heads of the Border Regions of Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan was signed.