Uzbekistan-Tajikistan: commitment to deepening cooperation based on principles of good-neighborliness and mutual trustPublished on EGF: 19.04.2024 by EGF Editor
In addition, the leaders of the two countries meet regularly on the margins of important multilateral forums - the Consultative Meetings of the Heads of State of Central Asia, the summits of the CIS, the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, the Economic Cooperation Organization, the Central Asia+ formats and others. Thus, Uzbekistan and Tajikistan have steadily demonstrated a firm commitment to resolving the region's accumulated problems that have been holding back the realization of its rich economic and human potential, as well as to deepening bilateral cooperation on the basis of the principles of good-neighborliness, mutual trust, equality, respect and mutual consideration of interests. Both countries support each other's candidacies and initiatives within the framework of international organizations, and their positions on many topical issues on the global agenda are united or close. An important area of mutually beneficial Uzbek-Tajik cooperation is the development of inter-parliamentary ties. Cooperation between the parliaments of Uzbekistan and Tajikistan is an important mechanism for deepening mutual friendship and good-neighborliness, enhancing efficiency and effective control over the implementation of bilateral agreements, as well as facilitating the exchange of experience in lawmaking. High-level bilateral cooperation has also intensified, and interagency ties are characterized by high dynamics of exchange of visits, experience and joint events. The foreign policy departments of the two countries regularly hold political consultations, and productive interaction has been established between the transport administrations and other ministries and departments of the two countries. Bilateral trade turnover in January-February this year reached almost 120 million dollars, showing an increase of almost 40% compared to the same period last year. The trade turnover has significantly expanded, which was largely facilitated by the opening of cross-border trade centers. Investment cooperation is also gaining momentum. Today, 289 enterprises with participation of Tajik capital operate in Uzbekistan, while 71 companies with participation of our country's residents have been established in Tajikistan. By the end of 2023, about 50 million dollars of Tajik investments have been absorbed within the framework of the Investment Program. The Uzbek-Tajik Investment Company established in 2021 is designed to generate and promote industrial cooperation projects. Significant results of cooperation in the transportation and logistics sphere have been achieved. Some of the important events in this area were the restoration of air service on the Tashkent-Dushanbe route in 2017, the launch of a passenger train on this route in 2022, as well as regular international bus routes "Tashkent-Khujand" and "Kokand-Shaydon". 
The cultural and humanitarian exchange is intensifying in step with the dynamics of growth of cooperation in other areas. In recent years, Uzbekistan and Tajikistan have repeatedly held Days of Culture of the two countries, the program of which includes art exhibitions of works of famous artists and craftsmen, concert programs and film festivals with the participation of representatives of culture and art. Bilateral ties in the field of theater art have been firmly strengthened - more than 15 mutual tours of the theaters of the two countries have taken place in the last three years alone. In addition, representatives of Tajikistan regularly take part in Uzbekistan's international festivals of makom and bakhshi arts, Boysun Bakhori, Shark Taronalari, the Istedod international contest, the Joys of Tashkent biennale for children and other cultural events. On the eve of the state visit to Dushanbe, the Days of Culture of Uzbekistan have begun. A delegation of more than 200 Uzbek artists and actors, as well as representatives of cinema, tourism, handicraft and culinary spheres has left for Tajikistan to participate in the Days. The cultural events, which will continue until April 20, will include meetings of intellectuals, festivals of tourism and national dishes, concerts by the Yunus Rajabi ensemble of the Makom National Center, as well as a joint concert of artists from Tajikistan and Uzbekistan called "Evening of Friendship". In short, the comprehensive multifaceted cooperation between the two states is steadily gaining new dynamics and being filled with rich content. No doubt, the state visit of President Shavkat Mirziyoyev to Tajikistan is an important step for further development and enrichment of interstate dialog on the basis of mutual respect, trust, support, understanding and partnership between the two brotherly peoples. Dunyo, Information Agency | External Relations | The Caspian and Central Asia |
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President Shavkat Mirziyoyev will pay a state visit to Tajikistan on April 18-19 at the invitation of President Emomali Rahmon.