Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.uz) — The 12th meeting of heads of customs services of the member states of the Organization of Turkic States (OTS) was held in Bishkek.
Uzbekistan was represented by a delegation led by Customs Committee Chairman Akmalxoja Mavlonov. Participants discussed simplifying trade and transit procedures, digitalising customs administration, and developing transport and logistics links.
One of the key topics was implementation of the Agreement on the Establishment of a Simplified Customs Corridor, signed by the governments of OTS member states in Samarkand in November 2022.
The parties agreed to continue electronic information exchange between customs administrations and work on meeting the agreement’s technical requirements.
The procedures required to launch a pilot project between Uzbekistan and Azerbaijan have been completed, and electronic data exchange between the two countries is already operational.
Participants also confirmed the full implementation of the Action Plan for the Introduction of eTIR Procedures, signed in Baku in 2025. The initiative is intended to improve the efficiency of international freight transport across the OTS region and simplify transit.
The Uzbek delegation presented a new concept for the Single Window system, designed to increase freight volumes and reduce the time and financial costs incurred by foreign economic activity participants. The agenda also included improving customs controls, enhancing risk management and strengthening the capabilities of customs laboratories.
Uzbekistan’s Customs Committee expressed its readiness to host an experience-sharing seminar for representatives of OTS customs services at the Central Customs Laboratory and organise a webinar on risk management.
Particular attention was given to mutual recognition of national Authorised Economic Operator (AEO) programmes. Uzbekistan has already signed a relevant agreement with Azerbaijan, while negotiations with Kyrgyzstan, Türkiye and Kazakhstan are ongoing. Kazakhstan and Türkiye are also working towards mutual recognition of their programmes.
To advance the initiative, participants proposed drafting an OTS memorandum of understanding on AEO programmes. The issue is expected to be considered at the next meeting.
The parties also agreed to prepare an Action Plan for Customs Cooperation for 2027–2031 by the end of 2026. The next meeting of heads of customs services of OTS member states will be held in Türkiye in 2027.
On the sidelines of the meeting, Mavlonov held bilateral talks with Shahin Bagirov, chairman of Azerbaijan’s State Customs Committee; Zhandos Duisembiyev, chairman of Kazakhstan’s State Revenue Committee under the Ministry of Finance; and Ulan Kimsanov, chairman of Kyrgyzstan’s State Customs Service under the Cabinet of Ministers.
The discussions focused on improving customs control, increasing the capacity of border checkpoints and accelerating international freight transport.
During talks with Azerbaijan, the sides discussed cooperation in canine services, the training of service dogs and the exchange of experience in detecting narcotics, explosives and smuggled goods. Following the meeting, the customs services of the two countries signed a Cooperation Plan.
The talks with Kazakhstan focused on expanding checkpoint capacity, organising transport flows, coordinating road and rail freight, and developing border infrastructure.
With the Kyrgyz side, discussions centred on optimising transport flows and easing pressure on border checkpoints in response to growing freight traffic along the China–Kyrgyzstan–Uzbekistan route.
The parties also considered using alternative routes, improving joint controls, introducing digital technologies and expanding information exchange. The talks concluded with the signing of a Roadmap for Cooperation for 2027–2028.
The agreements reached at the multilateral meeting and bilateral talks are intended to simplify customs procedures, improve the efficiency of cross-border transport and further develop trade and economic ties among countries in the region.
