Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan meetings focus on geopolitics, economic cooperation and water management
Bern, 07.07.2023 - The head of the FDFA, Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis, has completed his official visit to Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan from 3 to 7 July. The meetings, which were held in Almaty, Astana, Samarkand and Tashkent, focused on a number of issues of mutual interest. The visit provided an opportunity to deepen ties with both Central Asian countries.
During the official meetings in Astana and Tashkent, talks focused on bilateral relations with Switzerland, the regional and global context, cooperation in multilateral forums, and transboundary water management. Meetings with local Swiss companies were also organised.
The region's strategic importance on the world stage has increased since Russia's military aggression against Ukraine.
Political talks and honorary consulate opening in Kazakhstan
Mr Cassis' visit to Kazakhstan has helped to deepen bilateral ties with Switzerland, particularly in the economic sphere. He also led the celebrations for the reopening of the honorary consulate in Almaty on 4 July, in the presence of the Kazakh authorities, the new honorary consul and representatives of local Swiss companies. Almaty is Kazakhstan's commercial capital and home to most of the Swiss companies operating in the country. As a member of Switzerland's voting group in the Bretton Woods institutions, Kazakhstan maintains regular contacts with the Swiss Confederation.
On his visit to Astana the following day, Mr Cassis first met with Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs Murat Nurtleu, followed by a press conference. He then met with President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev at the Presidential Palace, where talks focused on the geopolitical situation, the challenges facing the region, and its prospects for the future.
Meetings with Uzbek government representatives
On 6 July, Mr Cassis visited the water management projects in Samarkand run by the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC). He was given a first-hand insight into the progress being made in water infrastructure and digitising the management of water resources.
The following day in Tashkent, Mr Cassis met with Deputy Prime Minister Jamshid Kuchkarov, Water Resources Minister Shavkat Khamraev and Foreign Minister Bakhtiyor Saidov. During his discussions with Mr Kuchkarov, Mr Cassis gave an initial assessment of the implementation of the agreement on the restitution of illicitly acquired assets signed in Bern on 16 August 2022.
Transboundary water management at heart of discussions in both countries
Regional water management was another important item on the agenda. In 2014, Switzerland launched the Blue Peace Central Asia initiative to foster dialogue and cooperation between the region’s states against the backdrop of growing competition for water resources. Switzerland’s support and expertise includes irrigation management, digitising water allocation management, as well as national and transboundary water governance. The aim is to better manage the region's water resources and reduce tensions between the various users, both at regional and national level. Both the Kazakh and Uzbek governments have embarked on major water sector reforms that have enhanced their national water policies.
Mr Cassis was accompanied by National Councillors Greta Gysin (Green party/Ticino), Elisabeth Schneider-Schneiter (The Centre/Basel) and Christian Wasserfallen (FDP/Bern). The delegation will continue its regional visit tomorrow in Pakistan.
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