KUWAIT, Feb 18 (KUNA) - President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev on Tuesday highly praised the efforts of His Highness Amir Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah to ensure peace and stability in the Middle East region.
This came in a joint statement issued during the official visit of the President of Uzbekistan to the State of Kuwait on February 17-18, which came at the invitation of His Highness the Amir.
During the visit, which took place in a constructive and friendly atmosphere, the leaders of the two countries agreed to expand and deepen comprehensive cooperation between their countries.
President of Uzbekistan highly praised the efforts of His Highness Amir to ensure peace and stability in the Middle East, while His Highness the Amir commended the President of Uzbekistan for his efforts in strengthening peace and security, good neighborliness, and integration processes in Central Asia, according to the statement.
The President of Uzbekistan also congratulated the State of Kuwait on assuming the presidency of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) this year, and both sides praised the development of relations between the GCC and the counties of Central Asia. His Highness the Amir welcomed Uzbekistan's chairmanship in the Consultative Meetings of the Heads of State and its role in advancing regional connectivity and sustainable development.
The two sides welcomed the upcoming 2nd summit of the leaders of the GCC countries with the Central Asian counties in the city of Samarkand, and the Kuwaiti side, in its capacity as the current chair of the GCC, affirmed its full support for deepening cooperation between the GCC and the Central Asian Countries, in all aspects.
The two sides thoroughly discussed the key aspects of Kuwait-Uzbekistan relations and identified the main directions for further development, said the joint statement.
Based on the scale of cooperation between the Republic of Uzbekistan and the State of Kuwait, the two sides reaffirmed the importance of strengthening political dialogue, trade and economic relations, cultural and humanitarian exchanges, and cooperation between security, defense, and law enforcement agencies.
The two sides, striving to deepen and expand the partnership between the two countries, stressed the following points: 1. Both parties agreed to continue efforts to develop comprehensive premierships in all mutually beneficial areas.
The parties stressed the importance of holding annual political consultations on a tum-by-tum basis at the level of Senior Officials, wherein exchanging views on the agenda of bilateral relations, as well as common interests, regional and global issues.
2. The parties highlighted the importance of the first Ministerial meeting of the Intergovernmental Joint Commission on Trade, Economic and Technical Cooperation in broadening joint projects in areas such as finance, trade, digital economy, investment, energy, construction and transport infrastructure, innovations, renewable energy, agriculture, manpower, culture, tourism, education, which took place in Tashkent on November 19-21, 2024.
The two Parties agreed to hold regular meetings between the responsible departments of the two countries, in particular, the sessions of the Joint Commission on Trade, Economic, and Technical Cooperation, in order to create favorable conditions for mutual trade, fully diversify the trade structure and expand its volume.
3. The Kuwaiti side expressed its intention to encourage the private sector through the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Kuwait, to explore the potential of investments in Uzbekistan, while the Uzbek side stressed its readiness to attract Kuwaiti investors and provide the necessary assistance in accordance with their respective legislations.
The two parties have reached an agreement to exchange technologies and experiences aimed at improving crop and livestock productivity to contribute to improving food security through cooperation in both the public and private sector in both countries.
4. The parties underlined the necessity to strengthen joint efforts in establishing direct and regular air communication between the two countries, as well as in further developing the tourism sector along with simplifying the required procedures for these purposes.
5. The parties have agreed to expand cooperation aimed at improving public health, and to exchange best practices in healthcare, medicine, and pharmaceuticals and continue the dialogue in the field of the medical system built on information and communication technologies.
6. The parties expressed solidarity on establishing and strengthening ties between defense, security and law enforcement agencies, as well as on expanding cooperation in the areas of personnel training, information and communication technologies, artificial intelligence, and cyber security.
7. Both countries underscored the importance of respecting the territorial integrity and sovereignty of states, non-interference in their internal affairs, peaceful resolution of conflicts on the basis of the UN Charter and interactional law.
8. The parties expressed the intention to further promote the existing and new forms of cooperation in culture, education, science, sports, tourism and people's diplomacy in order to strengthen the friendship and links between the two peoples.
The parties stressed the importance of intensifying cooperation in further promoting each other's cultural heritage, languages, and accomplishments through exhibitions, cultural and artistic events, the statement added.
The parties have agreed to establish mutual exchanges of scientists and specialists in the field of preservation, protection, exploitation, digital management and restoration of archaeological, artistic and cultural heritage and implement joint programs and projects in this regard, as well as to carry out other forms of cooperation through joint activities in the area of information and experience sharing.
9. The parties noted the importance of further expansion of cooperation in the field of higher education through strengthening premiership relations between higher education institutions, exchange of teaching staff and students, expansion of scholarship programs, and the creation of joint educational programs between faculties and higher education institutions.
10. The parties reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening security, peace and stability on a regional and global scale and expressed readiness to further expand cooperation within the framework of the United Nations, the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, the Non-Aligned Movement among other international organizations.
Furthermore, the Uzbek side welcomed the Kuwaiti initiative to transform the Asian Cooperation Dialogue (ACD) into a regional organization.
11. Both parties expressed satisfaction with the fruitful outcomes of the official visit of His Excellency Shavkat Mirziyoyev, the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan, to the State of Kuwait and underscored that this visit has become a significant basis for enhancing the existing comprehensive partnership between both countries.
12. Both parties welcomed the signing of various agreements aimed at enhancing bilateral cooperation and strengthening the ties between the two counties across fields.
13. The talks aimed at strengthening ties between the two countries took place in a spirit of friendship and trust. His Excellency the President expressed his gratitude to His Highness the Amir for his warm welcome and hospitality.
In addition, the President extended his congratulations to His highness the Amir on the occasion of the upcoming National Days of the State of Kuwait, celebrating the sixty-fourth anniversary of independence and the thirty-fourth anniversary of liberation, His Excellency the President also invited His Highness the Amir of Kuwait, Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al Sabah t