Uzbek President Mirziyoyev Praises Tokayev's Reforms and Article in National Interest

During a meeting in Bukhara, Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev expressed strong support for the economic reforms led by his Kazakh counterpart, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev. The talks focused on deepening the strategic partnership between the two Central Asian nations.

President Mirziyoyev characterized the visit as a vivid expression of the centuries-old friendship and brotherhood between Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan. He expressed confidence that their sincere dialogue would enrich mutually beneficial cooperation with new substance and yield concrete practical results, further expanding regional collaboration.

Mirziyoyev specifically commended Tokayev's domestic agenda. "The Uzbek people, as your closest neighbor and ally, sincerely rejoice at the effective reforms you are implementing to build a Just Kazakhstan," he stated.

He highlighted several key economic achievements under Tokayev's leadership, noting that despite global challenges, Kazakhstan's economy has surpassed $300 billion. He pointed to the growing share of the non-resource sector in GDP and the fact that small and medium-sized businesses now account for nearly 40% of the economy. The Uzbek leader also praised Kazakhstan's focus on digitalization, including declaring a Year of Digitalization and Artificial Intelligence, and its strengthening international standing through a balanced multi-vector foreign policy.

A significant part of Mirziyoyev's praise was directed at an article written by President Tokayev for The National Interest magazine. "I read your article with great interest," Mirziyoyev said. "I agree that the modern international environment shows a growing demand for pragmatism, openness, and realism."

He emphasized his agreement with Tokayev's approach to economic transformation, stating that linking reforms, investments, and sustainable development represents an integral strategy rather than a set of separate initiatives. "We highly value your efforts in strengthening relations of good-neighborliness, strategic partnership, and alliance between our fraternal peoples," Mirziyoyev concluded.

The meeting resulted in a confirmed strategic course to deepen economic partnership. The leaders agreed to enhance interaction between their governments to achieve specific targets in trade and production, with an emphasis on systematically supporting business communities.

Cooperation in several key sectors was discussed in detail, including the extraction and processing of rare earth metals, transit-transport links, water-energy issues, and the IT sector. Strengthening cultural ties and developing tourism were also highlighted as priorities.

Following the negotiations, the presidents agreed to adopt a Roadmap between their governments for the further development of trade and economic cooperation.