KUWAIT: A joint statement issued following the official visit of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan to Kuwait stressed the importance of enhancing political dialogue, trade and economic relations, cultural and humanitarian exchanges, and cooperation between security and defense agencies and law enforcement agencies.

The following is the text of the statement: “In response to the invitation of the Amir, His Highness Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev paid an official visit to Kuwait from February 17 to 18, 2025. This visit was marked by a constructive and fraternal atmosphere, as the leaders agreed to strengthen cooperation between the two countries in all fields.

The President of Uzbekistan praised the efforts of His Highness the Amir to support security and stability in the Middle East. His Highness also commended the efforts of the President of Uzbekistan in establishing peace, security, good neighborliness, and supporting integration paths in the Central Asian region. The President of Uzbekistan offered his congratulations to Kuwait on the occasion of its assumption of the presidency of the Gulf Cooperation Council for this year.

Visiting President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev and the official delegation on Monday visited Kuwait’s Al-Salam Palace Museum. The president toured the palace. Accompanying the president during his visit was Advisor at the Amiri Diwan, Mohammad Abdullah Abu Al-Hasan.

The two sides praised the remarkable development in relations between the Gulf Cooperation Council countries and the Central Asian countries. His Highness the Amir welcomed Uzbekistan’s chairmanship of the consultative meetings of the heads of state and its contribution to strengthening regional communication and sustainable development. The two sides welcomed the upcoming second summit of the leaders of the Gulf Cooperation Council and the Central Asian countries, to be held in the city of Samarkand.

The Kuwaiti side, in its capacity as the current chairman of the Gulf Cooperation Council, confirmed its full commitment to supporting and deepening cooperation between the Council and the Central Asian countries in various fields. The two sides carefully discussed the main dimensions of Kuwaiti-Uzbek relations and identified the main paths for their future development. Based on the level of cooperation between Uzbekistan and Kuwait, the two sides reaffirmed the importance of strengthening political dialogue, trade and economic relations, cultural and humanitarian exchanges, and cooperation between security and defense agencies.

In an effort to consolidate and expand the partnership between the two countries, the two sides stressed the following points: (1) The two sides agreed to continue efforts to develop a comprehensive partnership in all areas of mutual benefit. They also emphasized the importance of holding annual political consultations at the level of senior officials on a rotating basis to discuss the agenda of bilateral relations and common interests, in addition to regional and global issues.

(2) Creating a commission on trade, economic, and technical cooperation to expand joint cooperation in various fields such as finance, trade, digital economy, investment, energy, construction, transport infrastructure, innovation, renewable energy, agriculture, labor force, culture, tourism and education. The two sides agreed to hold regular meetings between the relevant authorities of the two countries. The Kuwaiti side expressed its intention to encourage the private sector in Kuwait.

(3) To explore investment opportunities in Uzbekistan through the Chamber of Commerce and Industry, while the Uzbek side confirmed its readiness to attract Kuwaiti investors and provide the necessary support in accordance with the applicable legislation. The two sides reached an agreement to exchange technology and expertise in order to enhance crop and livestock productivity and improve food security through joint cooperation between the public and private sectors in the two countries.

(4) Air routes: The two countries will work on developing the tourism sector and facilitating the necessary procedures for this purpose . Both sides agreed to expand the scope of cooperation with the aim of improving the public.

(5) Medical and Health: They agreed to exchange ideas in the fields of healthcare, medicine, and pharmacy and to continue dialogue in the medical system.

(6) Defense, security agencies, and law enforcement agencies agreed to expand cooperation in the fields of personnel training, information and communications technology, artificial intelligence, and cybersecurity. The two countries stressed the need to respect sovereignty and territorial integrity.

(7) The two sides expressed their solidarity in establishing and strengthening relations without interference in internal affairs and peaceful resolution of disputes in accordance with the UN Charter and international law.

(8) The two sides expressed their intention to develop existing forms of cooperation and introduce new forms in the fields of culture, education, science, sports, tourism, and popular diplomacy with the aim of strengthening the bonds of friendship. They stressed the importance of enhancing cooperation in promoting the heritage and culture of both countries, their languages , and their achievements by organizing exhibitions and cultural and artistic events.

(9) The two sides highlighted the importance of expanding cooperation in higher education through strengthening partnerships between higher education institutions, exchanging faculty and students, expanding scholarship programs, and establishing joint educational programs between colleges and universities .

(10) Kuwait and Uzbekistan reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening security, peace, and stability at regional and global levels and expressed their readiness to expand cooperation within the framework of the United Nations, the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, the Non-Aligned Movement , and other international organizations. The Uzbek side also welcomed the Kuwaiti initiative to transform the Asia Cooperation Dialogue (ACD) into a regional organization.

(11) The two sides expressed their satisfaction with the fruitful outcomes of President Shavkat Mirziyoyev’s official visit to Kuwait and stressed that this visit has formed a solid foundation for strengthening the comprehensive partnership between the two countries.

(12) They welcomed the signing of several agreements aimed at enhancing bilateral cooperation and strengthening relations between the two countries in various fields.

(13) President Shavkat Mirziyoyev thanked the Amir, His Highness Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, for the warm welcome and generous hospitality. He also congratulated His Highness on the upcoming national holidays in Kuwait, as Kuwait celebrates the sixty-fourth anniversary of national day and the thirty-fourth anniversary of liberation. — KUNA