Cairo: Hani Kamal El-Din
Uzbekistan is planning to introduce a system allowing citizens to cross its borders with Kazakhstan and Tajikistan using ID cards, following a similar arrangement that was implemented with Kyrgyzstan in September. This announcement was made by President Shavkat Mirziyoyev during a session in the Legislative Chamber of Uzbekistan’s Oliy Majlis on November 20, where he outlined the government’s key priorities for the next five years.
According to Mirziyoyev, it is crucial for the country’s development to pursue an effective foreign policy, expand its circle of friends and partners, and deepen regional cooperation with its immediate neighbors. He emphasized the need to adopt a revised version of the country’s foreign policy concept to reflect these goals.
The president also pointed out that strengthening good-neighborly relations among Central Asian countries and ensuring regional security and stability will remain priority areas of Uzbekistan’s foreign policy.
In 2025, Uzbekistan will host a meeting of the “Central Asian Five” (Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Turkmenistan), which will be another significant practical step in this direction.
Since September 1, citizens of Uzbekistan have been able to visit Kyrgyzstan freely using ID cards, instead of passports. The government now plans to implement a similar system with Kazakhstan and Tajikistan, according to President Mirziyoyev’s statement.
The president also stressed that particular attention will be given to further developing effective and systematic relations with Central Asian states, as well as other leading partners, respected international and regional organizations, and financial institutions.
During the session, the president proposed the candidacy of the current prime minister, Abdulla Aripov, for reappointment. “The government must organize its activities on an entirely new basis, and for this, it needs a strong leader,” he said.
