BAKU, Azerbaijan, April 1. A high-level delegation from Kazakhstan, led by Minister of Foreign Affairs Yermek Kosherbayev, arrived in Uzbekistan yesterday for a series of bilateral meetings, culminating in the signing of a Cooperation Program between the Ministries of Foreign Affairs for 2026-2027.
This visit highlights the growing momentum in the bilateral relations between Tashkent and Astana, which have seen a notable intensification of contacts in recent years. Both countries are progressively advancing toward a more structured and comprehensive cooperation framework.
During the discussions, Uzbekistan’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Bakhtiyor Saidov emphasized, "In recent years, our cooperation has reached an unprecedented level, driven by the strong political will of our Presidents."
Amid rising external interest from global actors such as China, the EU, and Russia, both Tashkent and Astana are increasingly focusing on leveraging their own resources. This shift reflects not only a response to external geopolitical dynamics but also a proactive approach to shaping regional processes and advancing mutual interests.
The economy remains the key driver of rapprochement. By the end of 2025, trade turnover between the two countries reached $4.97 billion, increasing by 11.4%. At the same time, an imbalance persists: exports amounted to $1.55 billion, while imports rose by 16.6% to $3.4 billion. This indicates growing trade alongside a still uneven structure.
The trade growth is increasingly complemented by a deeper expansion of investment presence. By early 2026, 1,221 enterprises with Kazakh capital were operational in Uzbekistan, signaling a significant shift from trade-based exchanges to more profound economic engagement. Investment cooperation has also been steadily evolving: between 2005 and 2025, Kazakhstan’s investments in Uzbekistan amounted to approximately $1 billion, while Uzbek investments in Kazakhstan reached $73.2 million.
Looking ahead, the two sides have set a more ambitious target, raising trade turnover to $10 billion by 2030. This goal was formalized with the signing of a program in March 2025. However, achieving this ambitious objective will require not only sustained growth in trade but also the establishment of new joint production facilities, deeper industrial cooperation, and more robust regional collaboration.
A pivotal instrument in this effort is expected to be the International Center for Industrial Cooperation “Central Asia,” where a series of joint projects are slated for launch. However, the success of these initiatives will largely hinge on the speed and effectiveness with which these plans are translated into concrete actions.
Moreover, transport and logistics are emerging as critical areas of cooperation. Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan are progressively enhancing their coordination on railway routes and border infrastructure. This collaboration is viewed not only as a matter of bilateral trade but also as part of a broader strategy to secure a competitive transit role in Eurasia. For Uzbekistan, the focus is on diversifying its external trade routes, while Kazakhstan seeks to reinforce its position as a key regional transit hub.
The dynamics are already reflected in the figures: by the end of 2025, railway cargo transportation between the countries reached a record 32.3 million tons, up 16% year-on-year and marking the highest level in the past 10 years. At the same time, the sides are discussing expanding capacity at key junctions, including Saryagash, Oasis, and Syrdarya, as well as completing the Darbaza–Maktaaral section.
Against this backdrop, it is becoming clear that Astana and Tashkent increasingly understand that competition for cargo and investment does not exclude coordination. On the contrary, without it, even growing routes will face infrastructure constraints, tariffs, and transportation speed limitations. The approach is therefore gradually shifting - from developing separate routes to linking them into a single regional network. This is especially important amid competition with other Eurasian corridors.
Energy is also gradually becoming part of the shared agenda. Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan are working to enhance the resilience of their power systems, coordinate during peak demand periods, and develop green energy, including solar and wind projects. Overall, this demonstrates that cooperation between the countries is already expanding beyond individual sectors and covering multiple areas - from trade and transport to energy.
Political dialogue between the countries has also intensified. Regular meetings, new formats of interaction, and active contacts at the leadership level in 2024–2025 indicate a high degree of coordination.
In a broader context, cooperation between Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan is becoming one of the key factors of stability in Central Asia. Both countries are setting the pace for regional integration. At the same time, reaching the $10 billion target will require further deepening of economic interaction and implementation of joint projects.
Thus, the current visit of the Kazakh delegation demonstrates the parties’ intention to consolidate the achieved progress across specific areas - from foreign policy to economy and logistics. How quickly this potential can be realized in practice will become clear in the near future. However, it is already evident that Tashkent and Astana are ready to move from growing indicators to more sustainable and deeper cooperation.