Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan aim to expand multifaceted cooperation - Mirziyoyev's press service

TASHKENT. March 18 (Interfax) - Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev and Kazakh Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov have discussed steps to expand Uzbek-Kazakh multifaceted cooperation and remove barriers obstructing the build-up of bilateral trade, the Uzbek presidential press service said last Friday.

"The parties discussed further expansion of Uzbek-Kazakh multifaceted cooperation at the meeting. In particular, they focused on forming a new agenda of practical interaction in preparing for the upcoming joint events at the top level," the statement said.

The need to remove barriers and take concerted measures to increase the volume of bilateral trade, in particular, during the activities of the working group headed by the authorized ministers, was emphasized, the press service said.

The parties also discussed deeper cooperation in industry, transportation and logistics, which are crucial areas in the strategic partnership between the two countries. The expediency of active promotion of a new portfolio of investment programs in priority sectors and infrastructure projects of regional importance in transport and energy was highlighted.

Bektenov paid a working visit to Uzbekistan on March 14-15, where he held talks with his Uzbek counterpart.