In Bishkek, the first meeting of the Intergovernmental Council between the Kyrgyz Republic and Tajikistan took place, attended by the Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers of the Kyrgyz Republic, Adylbek Kasymaliev, and the Prime Minister of Tajikistan, Kohir Rasulzoda, reports the press service of the Cabinet of Ministers of the Kyrgyz Republic.
Kasymaliev emphasized that 2025 will be an important milestone in the development of relations between the two countries, noting the high level of political dialogue and the desire to create sustainable interstate relations.
“Today, Kyrgyz-Tajik ties, based on centuries-old friendship, have reached a new qualitative level and occupy an important place in the foreign policy of the Kyrgyz Republic. The completion of the process of delimitation of the state border between our countries is an important step towards strengthening security in the region. I am confident that the remaining sections of the border will be demarcated soon. The leaders of our states, Sadyr Japarov and Emomali Rahmon, play a key role in the development of our cooperation,” he noted.
Kasymaliev highlighted the Intergovernmental Council as an important tool for strengthening bilateral partnership and implementing agreements reached at the highest level.
Discussing trade and economic cooperation, the head of the Cabinet of Ministers expressed readiness to increase supplies of meat and dairy products, sewing and textile goods, coal, as well as sugar and glass products, including construction and special glass.
As part of the instruction from the heads of state to increase trade turnover, it was proposed to develop a “roadmap” with specific steps and responsible executors. The Kyrgyz side also proposed to open Trade Houses in both countries to improve connections between entrepreneurs and create sustainable sales channels.
Kasymaliev drew attention to the importance of cooperation in the transport and logistics sphere, emphasizing the need to improve border infrastructure and the efficiency of checkpoints. This includes modernizing existing checkpoints and implementing digital technologies in customs and border administration.
“Kyrgyzstan is ready to become the ‘trade gateway’ for Tajik goods in the markets of the EAEU and the EU thanks to the GSP+ system. An important project for our country is the construction of the China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan railway, which will significantly increase our transit potential and strengthen Kyrgyzstan's role as a logistics hub in the Eurasian space, opening new opportunities for Tajikistan,” he added.
The head of the Cabinet noted the increase in the flow of tourists from Tajikistan to Kyrgyzstan, which in 2025 amounted to 86,000 people, 12 times more compared to 2024.
The Kyrgyz side is also interested in implementing joint tourism projects, including the introduction of a unified visa for Central Asia for citizens of third countries.
In the field of cultural and humanitarian cooperation, Kasymaliev announced plans to hold Tajikistan Culture Days in Kyrgyzstan in May, which, in his opinion, will contribute to deepening cultural dialogue.
He also invited the Tajik side to participate in the Sixth World Nomad Games, which will be held in Kyrgyzstan.
Summarizing, the chairman of the Cabinet assured that Kyrgyzstan intends to fulfill the agreements reached within the framework of the Intergovernmental Council.
Kohir Rasulzoda, in turn, emphasized the importance of good-neighborly relations and mutually beneficial cooperation with Kyrgyzstan.
He noted that the Intergovernmental Council will serve as an effective platform for implementing joint initiatives and expanding trade and economic interaction, as well as cooperation in the fields of energy, transport, and agriculture.
The Prime Minister of Tajikistan confirmed readiness to fulfill the agreements reached and further develop partnership with Kyrgyzstan.
During the meeting, the parties outlined plans for further development of cooperation and implementation of the agreements reached, expressing confidence that the meeting would serve as a catalyst for active interaction between the two states.
At the conclusion of the meeting, a Protocol of the first meeting of the Intergovernmental Council and a Memorandum of Understanding between the Export Development and Promotion Center “Kyrgyz Export” and the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Tajikistan were signed.
