Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan seek to unlock potential of bilateral cooperation through Treaty on Allied Relations - Aigul Kuspan

Mrs. Kuspan, could you please reveal the goal of the Kazakhstan-Uzbekistan Treaty on Allied Relations signed in Tashkent on December 22, 2022? Is this the only document on allied relations signed by our country?

The goal of the Treaty on Allied Relations between Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan is to unlock the entire potential of the bilateral cooperation. The potential is huge. For instance, in recent years, commodity turnover between the countries has increased multiple-fold. The Treaty provides for creation of legal framework for a closer long-term cooperation in foreign policy, defense and security, deepening the economic cooperation, energy cooperation, investment activity, cultural and humanitarian ties. The issues of rational use and protection of transboundary water resources, as well as environmental and food security, are of paramount importance for us. To encompass all these spheres, we needed one large treaty on allied relations. This is the highest level of cooperation between the two states. Similar documents were signed with Kyrgyzstan (in 2003) and Russia (in 2013). Our prosperity, our security and our independence depend on how we build our relations with neighboring countries. As far as I know, another agreement on allied relations with Tajikistan is in the works.

What did serve as the basis for signing the document with Uzbekistan?

Our peoples share centuries-long historical, spiritual and cultural commonness. We share common religion and our languages are close to each other. Since the first years of independence, our states have consistently built their close ties. Our cooperation has intensified significantly in the past five years. Our presidents meet almost every year and achieve important agreements whenever they do so. Thus, during the official visit of Shavkat Mirziyoyev to Astana in December 2021, the Declaration on Allied Relations was signed, in which the presidents tasked the governments to elaborate the Treaty on Allied Relations. As a result, a year later when our President embarked on a state visit to Tashkent, this Treaty was signed.

What are the major principles and values underlying this document?

Indeed, the allied relations should be based on certain principles and common values. The main principles in the Treaty are mutual respect for independence, sovereignty, territorial integrity, inviolability of state borders, trust, equality, mutual consideration of national interests. And, of course, mutual support and fulfilment in good faith of mutual obligations… I would like to note, that, as per the Treaty, a new mechanism of cooperation– the Supreme Interstate Council at the Level of the Heads of State – is being set up. The activity of this Council will be coordinated by the Council of Ministers of Foreign Affairs. In case of need, parliament speakers and representatives of security councils of the two countries may join its activity. The first meeting is slated for August 8, 2024, in Astana, during the state visit of President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev to Kazakhstan.

You have mentioned that one of the goals of the Treaty is to create a legal framework for closer long-term cooperation in foreign policy, defense and security. What certain measures will be taken to strengthen cooperation in the said sectors?

The Treaty on Allied Relations is a framework agreement that embodies the spirit, goals and directions of cooperation. However, the section of the Treaty devoted to cooperation in international politics, defense and security is quite specific. It specifies such practical agreements as cooperation and support in the international arena, disarmament, nonproliferation of weapons of mass destruction, fights against terrorism, religious extremism and separatism, and new security threats. It also indicates military and technical cooperation for strengthening defensive capacity, and provides for immediate consultations on settlement of the situation which poses a threat of armed attack by third states. Under the Treaty the countries enter into commitments not to take part in blocs, unions, or actions directed against each other. They are obliged not to use resources, communications and infrastructure to commit aggression against the other side in their territories. The countries expressed readiness to contribute to efforts to settle regional conflicts peacefully. You may remember, the Kyrgyz-Tajik border conflict between the military in 2021 left some people dead. In such situations, Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan will immediately hold consultations and agree on how to restore peace. Besides, the Treaty provides for mutual assistance in natural and man-made emergency prevention and response.

Is that Treaty a treaty for an indefinite term?

It is a permanent Treaty. A party may terminate the Treaty and it shall give not less than twelve months' notice of its intention to terminate the Treaty.

Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan have established close economic ties. The presidents have set a task to increase the commodity turnover between the two countries up to 10 billion US dollars. Does this Treaty help achieve that goal?

The presidents agreed to increase the commodity turnover between the two countries up to 10 billion US dollars in 2022. It is a medium-term task. Notably, the sales between the countries rose by 30% to make 5 billion tenge in 2022, but decreased by 10% last year to 4.4 billion tenge.

One of the reasons is a decrease in exports of cars from Kazakhstan to Uzbekistan as Chinese car sales have exploded there.

Trade and economic cooperation between the countries is developing well though it is exposed to external risks and trends. It is normal. However, Kazakhstan prioritizes industrial cooperation not trade. Our principle is not to compete but to supplement each other. We are the allies; we should complement each other. To this end, we may export our goods to third markets – Afghanistan, Pakistan and India. Just for this purpose a special joint foreign trade company UzKazTrade was founded last year. Besides, the countries have set up a special working group involving deputy prime ministers to monitor all cooperation projects. A working group for lifting barriers in mutual trade has been established as well. Kazakhstan has suggested launching an e-permit system to get rid of paperwork.

The countries also signed roadmaps for the implementation of the agreements of the heads of state. One of the large projects is the construction of an international industrial cooperation center Central Asia on the Kazakh-Uzbek border. Production sites will be built on the territory of the center of up to 50 hectares. It will be launched by 2026. Another interesting project is the joint construction of a Kambarata HPP (Hydro Power Plant) 1 in Kyrgyzstan. As you know water is of crucial importance for our region. We suggest creating an international water and energy consortium in Central Asia. There are several projects aimed at the development of transit and transport potential. Construction of the Darbaza-Maktaaral railway line has started, and construction of the Uchkuduk-Kyzylorda railway line and road project is being worked out. Besides, Uzbekistan shows its interest in joint exploration, production and processing of uranium in cross-border regions. If the projects are launched the commodity turnover between the two states will increase not up to 10 billion tenge but a great deal more.

Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan enjoy close relations in education, culture, sport, and tourism. What measures are taken in this Treaty to improve cooperation between the two countries in these spheres? 

When speaking about culture, the most important thing for us is to preserve spiritual and cultural closeness. I was in Uzbekistan and felt the closeness and similarity of our traditions, mentality, and values. We should protect and strengthen this kinship. I am pleased with regular organization of the Days of Culture of Kazakhstan in Uzbekistan and the Days of Uzbekistan Culture in Kazakhstan, bringing together the singers, writers, artists and artisans. We have a lot to learn from each other. For example, I admire Uzbek artisans, who carefully brought to this day the ancient art of pottery, wood carving, metal chasing and carpet weaving.

We should also deepen our ties in science, education, medicine, sport, and tourism. Recently, we have inaugurated the branch of the Tashkent Institute of Irrigation and Agricultural Mechanization Engineers.

Another important component of our cooperation is diasporas. As per the Treaty, the Uzbek side is obliged to help the Kazakh diaspora preserve their culture and mother tongue. In turn, we undertake the obligation to provide all-round support to the Uzbeks in Kazakhstan to develop their language, culture, traditions and rituals.

It is crucial to develop tourism sector. We have an idea to launch transboundary tourism across Central Asia. Many foreigners prefer to visit several countries at once, as it is cheaper and more convenient. We would like to offer one common tourist product to our guests.

Last year Tashkent hosted the first meeting of the Kazakhstan-Uzbekistan Interparliamentary Cooperation Council. This structure was named responsible for ensuring control over timely and proper fulfillment of all agreements concluded at the highest level, including the implementation of the Treaty. Could you please tell me about the Council’s work? How is it going to operate and fulfill the tasks set to it?

In 2021, during his state visit to Kazakhstan, President Shavkat Mirziyoyev proposed Kassym-Jomart Tokayev to engage both countries’ parliament deputies to the implementation of the agreements achieved. For instance, the deputies could control the construction of the Central Asia International Center for Industrial Cooperation on the Kazakh-Uzbek border. Of course, all practical works are carried out by the governments and akimats, but the deputies could monitor and control the process too. Our President backed this idea. As a result, the heads of state agreed to establish the Interparliamentary Cooperation Council. We have set up this Council and have already held its first meeting in October 2023 in Tashkent. A delegation of Majilis deputies led by Speaker Yerlan Koshanov together with their colleagues from the Legislative Chamber of the Oliy Majlis have worked productively on all the issues of the bilateral agenda. The next meeting of the Interparliamentary Cooperation Council is scheduled for this spring in Almaty. By the way, according to the Treaty on Allied Relations, our countries are set to develop both the interparliamentary cooperation, interparty contacts and interaction between public organizations.

That is what the important, comprehensive and modern Kazakh-Uzbek Treaty on Allied Relations is about. We plan to ratify it in the Majilis on Wednesday, February 28.

Thank you for the interview!