Presidents of Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan Shavkat Mirziyoyev and Kassym-Jomart Tokayev signed an agreement on demarcation of the common border on Thursday, the press service of the Uzbek leader said.
Tokayev is on a state visit to Uzbekistan on December 21-22.
"President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev and President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev signed historic documents - an agreement on allied relations and an agreement on demarcation of the Uzbek-Kazakh state border," the report said.
In turn, the press service of the Kazakh leader noted that Tokayev considers the relations between the two countries as strong and harmonious, a model of interstate partnership. During the talks, he noted that the signing of the treaty on allied relations is a confirmation of this. "If we call the treaty a document of historical significance, I think it will not be an exaggeration. This breakthrough document opens up new horizons for us and fully reflects the mutual desire of the two countries for further rapprochement," the press service quotes Tokayev as saying.
The Kazakh president called the agreement on the demarcation of the state border a historic agreement, which "completely completes the international legal registration of the state border of Kazakhstan on its southern borders." Tokayev stressed that joint efforts to strengthen allied relations also make a significant contribution to sustainable growth, stability, and security throughout Central Asia.
In addition, 15 documents have been signed at the level of governments, ministries and departments, and major companies of the two countries, providing for a further increase in multifaceted cooperation, Mirziyoyev's press service added.
These include the agreements on establishment of the "Central Asia" international center for industrial cooperation, on cooperation in the field of environmental protection, on cooperation in the field of higher and postgraduate education, the protocol on amendments to the intergovernmental agreement on conditions for mutual travels of citizens dated July 7, 2000.
Memorandums were adopted on strategic reforms, development of electronic trade, forestry, civil service, road maps to expand cooperation between a number of areas of the two countries, as well as agreements on the implementation of projects in the energy, chemical industry, transport, and logistics. "Also during the visit, trade contracts and investment agreements worth $8 billion were signed," Mirziyoyev's press service added.
The length of the border between Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan exceeds 2,100 kilometers, and the sides began negotiations on its demarcation in 2003.
GSV "Russia - Islamic World"
Based on materials from RIA Novosti