Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan have agreed to exempt citizens of both countries from mandatory registration for 15 days after crossing the border. This was announced by the official representative of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Uzbekistan, Amonulla Fayziev.
According to him, the relevant protocol was signed on July 30 following negotiations between President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev and President of Kyrgyzstan Sadyr Japarov. The document supplements the 2006 agreement on mutual travel of citizens.
“The protocol is aimed at further liberalizing the procedure for mutual travel of citizens of Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan. This is achieved by simplifying the rules of stay in the territory of the other state,” said the Foreign Ministry representative.
The document provides for the exemption of citizens of Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan from the obligation of temporary or permanent registration with the authorized bodies of the host country within 15 days from the moment of crossing the state border.
As Amonulla Fayziev noted, this protocol is another step towards creating favorable conditions for the free movement of citizens, developing cross-border cooperation, tourism, trade and humanitarian ties between the two countries.
Currently, under Kyrgyz legislation, citizens of Uzbekistan must personally register with the internal affairs bodies within 5 days after entering the country. The new procedure will enter into force after the parties fully complete internal state procedures.
Earlier, on July 30, President of Kyrgyzstan Sadyr Japarov stated that the new agreements would allow for the complete resolution of all border issues, as well as increase the number of checkpoints between the two countries from 15 to 30.
President Shavkat Mirziyoyev called the under-construction China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan railway a “construction of the century,” noting that it would “fundamentally change the geopolitical situation.” He also emphasized that Uzbekistan is interested in a strong Kyrgyzstan and will continue to support reforms in the neighboring country.
Following the talks, the presidents signed a Treaty on Allied Relations between Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan. The sides also discussed expanding cooperation in energy, trade and logistics.
Source: www.gazeta.uz