Kazakhstan–Uzbekistan relations

Kazakhstan–Uzbekistan relations refers to the relations between the neighbouring Republic of Kazakhstan and Republic of Uzbekistan.

Kazakhstan – Uzbekistan relations

Kazakhstan	Uzbekistan

History

Both Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan were part of the Soviet Union before its official dissolution in 1991. In 2017, President Shavkat Mirziyoyev began to improve relations with Kazakhstan. 2018 was declared the "Year of Uzbekistan in Kazakhstan". On 27 November 2018, the President Nursultan Nazarbayev said: "Today our relationship is at a good level. We meet with Shavkat Mirziyoyev several times a year and discuss all pressing issues in the field of economic and political cooperation".[1]

Visits

Former Uzbek President of Uzbekistan Islam Karimov has visited Kazakhstan several times. The same can also be said for former Kazakh president Nursultan Nazarbayev visiting Tashkent. On 15 April 2019, the Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev and Mirziyoyev opened the Year of Kazakhstan in Uzbekistan during the former's visit to Tashkent.[2] Tokayev noted that "We are connected by a single language, religion, common history and one destiny. Our peoples are the heirs of the ancient and great civilization of Central Asia".[3]

Border

At the start of the 21st century, 96% of the international border between Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan had been determined. In 2001, after mutual agreements, the border line in only three disputed areas (Bagys, Arnasai and Nsan) remained undrawn. By September 2002, Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan had fully resolved the course of their 2,440 km-long shared border.[4]

Kazakhstan–Uzbekistan barrier

Map of Kazakhstan with Uzbekistan to the south

On 19 October 2006, Kazakhstan built 45 km-long barrier along part of its border with Uzbekistan. The Kazakhstan–Uzbekistan barrier spans the Saryagash and Maktaaral administrative districts of southern Kazakhstan, and consists of a 2,5m-high barbed wire fence that includes searchlights.[5] The barrier is situated along the heavily populated towns and cities of eastern Uzbekistan. It was built to curb drug smuggling across the border.[6]

Ambassadors

Ambassadors of Kazakhstan to Uzbekistan

• Saylau Batyrsha-uly (1993-1994)
• Nazhameden Iskaliev (1994-1997)
• Umirzak Uzbekov (1997-2003)
• Tleukhan Kabdrakhmanov (2003-2006)
• Askar Myrzakhmetov (2006-2007)
• Zautbek Turisbekov (2007-2009)
• Boribay Zheksembin (2010-2015)
• Yerik Utembayev (2016-2019)
• Darkhan Satybaldy (since 2019)

Ambassadors of Uzbekistan in Kazakhstan

• Ikrom Nazarov (2016-2018)
• Saidikram Niyazkhodzhaev (since 2018)

See also

• Foreign relations of Kazakhstan
• Foreign relations of Uzbekistan

References

1. Трудная дружба народов. Ташкент нашел повод для закрытия Казахского культурного центра в Узбекистане
2. https://astanatimes.com/2019/04/kazakh-president-visits-uzbekistan-assures-current-bilateral-policies-will-continue/
3. https://lenta.inform.kz/ru/year-of-kazakhstan-in-uzbekistan-opened-in-tashkent_a3517353
4. "President N. Nazarbayev met with the President of Uzbekistan I. Karimov, who has arrived to Kazakhstan with an official visit". Permanent Mission of the Republic of Kazakhstan to the UN. September 9, 2002. Archived from the original on February 22, 2007. Retrieved 2007-06-12.
5. "Kazakhstan To Fence Section Of Border". Radio Free Europe. October 19, 2006. Retrieved 2007-06-12.
6. Greenberg, Ilan (October 20, 2006). "Kazakhstan: Fence For Part Of Uzbek Border". New York Times. Retrieved 2007-06-12.