On the eve of the Eurasian Intergovernmental Council meeting, Prime Minister of Kazakhstan Alikhan Smailov engaged in discussions with Akylbek Japarov, the Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers and Head of the Administration of the President of Kyrgyzstan. The meeting, which took place in Almaty, focused on enhancing collaboration in the water sector and strengthening overall bilateral ties.
Alikhan Smailov emphasized the strategic partnership and fraternal relationship that Kazakhstan shares with Kyrgyzstan, highlighting the elevated level of Kazakh-Kyrgyz relations due to the political will of their leaders. The Prime Minister acknowledged the significant progress in trade and economic interactions, noting a 12% growth in mutual trade, reaching $1.3 billion in the last 11 months of the previous year. Both nations are actively working towards increasing the volume of trade turnover to $2 billion.
Smailov underscored the effectiveness of bilateral cooperation mechanisms such as the Intergovernmental Council and the Forum for Interregional Cooperation. He expressed the readiness of the Kazakh government to support the strategic partnership in all areas.
In response, Akylbek Japarov highlighted the positive trajectory of political dialogue between Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan. He noted the annual growth in mutual trade and investment, as well as the deepening ties in business, science, and culture. Within the framework of the Intergovernmental Council, the leaders discussed common strategic goals and approaches for the long-term development of Kyrgyz-Kazakh cooperation.
Japarov expressed the interest of the Kyrgyz side in further deepening allied relations with Kazakhstan, emphasizing the importance of mutual trust and understanding.
The meeting covered various aspects of bilateral cooperation, including discussions on trade, economics, and the oil and gas industries. Both parties also agreed to expedite the resolution of opening an additional checkpoint for freight vehicles on the Kazakh-Kyrgyz border. Additionally, they pledged to strengthen collaboration in the water and energy sector, reflecting a commitment to address shared challenges and opportunities in the region.
