A Kazakh delegation led by Foreign Minister Yermek Kosherbayev arrived in Uzbekistan yesterday, where the two sides held a series of bilateral meetings and signed a Programme of Cooperation between the Ministries of Foreign Affairs for 2026–2027.
The visit comes against the backdrop of a marked intensification of contacts between Tashkent and Astana. In recent years, the countries have stepped up their interaction and are gradually moving towards more systematic cooperation.
“In recent years, our cooperation has reached an unprecedented level thanks to the political will of our countries’ leaders,” noted Uzbekistan’s Foreign Minister Bakhtiyor Saidov during a meeting with the Kazakh delegation.
Against a backdrop of growing interest from external players – China, the EU and Russia – Tashkent and Astana are increasingly relying on their own resources. This is not only about adapting to the external agenda, but also about a desire to play a more active role in shaping regional processes. The economy remains the key driver of rapprochement. By the end of 2025, trade turnover between the countries had reached $4.97 billion, an increase of 11.4%. However, an imbalance persists: exports amounted to $1.55 billion, whilst imports rose by 16.6% to $3.4 billion. This indicates growth in trade alongside a continuing uneven structure. The growth in trade is accompanied by an expansion of investment presence.
