Kazakhstan’s president hails Uzbekistan as reliable strategic partner PHOTO / UPDATED

President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev of Kazakhstan has described Uzbekistan as a “reliable strategic partner” following an informal meeting with his Uzbek counterpart Shavkat Mirziyoyev, amid what he called an increasingly unstable geopolitical environment.

Speaking after the talks in the historic city of Bukhara on April 11, Tokayev thanked Mirziyoyev for the warm reception and said the visit carried particular significance given current global tensions, Akorda reports.

“For Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan is a dependable strategic partner,” Tokayev said, adding that both sides would exchange views on key issues and review the bilateral agenda. He stressed that there are no outstanding disputes between the two countries and that all agreements are being implemented consistently under his direct oversight.

Tokayev also highlighted Bukhara’s cultural and historical importance, describing the city—whose history spans more than 2,500 years—as a vital part of global heritage and one of the spiritual and intellectual centres of the medieval East. He noted longstanding ties between Bukhara and the Kazakh people, including its role as a centre of learning for generations of Kazakh elites.

Mirziyoyev, in turn, said the meeting underscored the “centuries-old friendship, close brotherhood and allied relations” between the two nations. He expressed confidence that the talks would deepen mutually beneficial cooperation and deliver tangible outcomes, while further strengthening regional ties.

The Uzbek leader also praised Tokayev’s domestic reforms, noting that Kazakhstan’s economy has surpassed $300 billion despite global challenges. He pointed to the growing role of the non-resource sector, the rising contribution of small and medium-sized businesses—approaching 40% of GDP—and a strong focus on digitalisation and artificial intelligence.

During the meeting, the two presidents reaffirmed their commitment to expanding economic cooperation and agreed to intensify government-level engagement to achieve concrete targets in trade and industrial production.

Discussions also covered collaboration in rare earth metals, transport and transit infrastructure, water and energy, as well as the IT sector. Both sides emphasised the need to support business communities and stimulate commercial activity.

Cultural and humanitarian ties, along with tourism development, were also high on the agenda.

The talks concluded with an agreement to adopt a bilateral roadmap aimed at further advancing trade and economic cooperation between Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan.