by: Mr. Khalid Taimur Akram, Executive Director, Pakistan Research Center for a Community with Shared Future (PRCCSF), Islamabad.
Uzbekistan President Shavkat Mirziyoyev visited Bishkek on October 13 and participated in the regular meeting of the Council of Heads of State of the Commonwealth of Independent States.
During the summit events, the issues of further expansion of multilateral cooperation within the CIS, including the implementation of joint programs and projects in trade, investment, industrial cooperation, innovation, digitalization, transport, education, culture, and other spheres, were discussed.
President Mirziyoyev’s speech was instrumental in outlining priorities to bolster the activities of the CIS, shedding light on forthcoming plans and objectives. He particularly underscored the adverse effects of escalating conflicts in various parts of the world, emphasizing their detrimental impact on the sustainable development of all member countries.
The President expressed his admiration for the fruitful outcomes of Kyrgyzstan’s chairmanship within the Commonwealth of Independent States. He suggested a comprehensive review of the Free Trade Agreement’s provisions to ensure alignment with core goals and objectives, advocating access to public procurement markets on a reciprocal basis, and the creation of substitution programs, and logistics centers, all aimed at fostering the e-commerce sector.
Furthermore, he proposed the development of an array of supplementary measures aimed at stimulating mutual investments and fostering projects. This included the establishment of technology parks in accordance with the recently adopted Concept for the Development of Industrial Cooperation and an Agreement focusing on the primary directions of cooperation in the agro-industrial sector.
Additionally, he called for the creation of favorable business conditions for the transportation of goods along vital regional corridors, the digitization of management processes and services within passenger and freight traffic, and the initiation of programs and projects geared towards modernizing transport infrastructure and rolling stock.
Uzbekistan, as an active participant has consistently engaged in the fundamental statutory and sectoral institutions of the CIS. Uzbekistan remains steadfast in its commitment to the establishment of a genuine free trade area among CIS states.
I congratulate President Shavkat Mirziyoyev for being honored with the CIS Badge of Honor. He truly deserves this recognition due to his exceptional efforts in enhancing friendly relations, fostering good neighborly ties, and promoting multifaceted cooperation. President Shavkat also deserves Noble Peace Price for his immense contribution to peace and regional connectivity, not only in the central region but also beyond it.
