Mr. Azimov arrived in Astana to attend a session of the Council of Heads of Governments of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) member-countries, which will be held on 30 October. The SCO, a regional organization founded in June 2001, comprises China, Russia, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan, with Pakistan, Mongolia, Iran and India holding observer status.

The sides discussed issues of bilateral cooperation in various sectors of economy, including financial sector, fuel-energy and agriculture industries.

The parties underlined positive growth of figures and significant potential for broadening of trade-economic relations between Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan.

Uzbek and Kazakh official expressed interest in further strengthening of bilateral relations on mutual beneficial and good neighbourhood basis.