ASTANA -- Uzbekistani and Kazakhstani officials signed a number of agreements during Uzbekistani President Shavkat Mirziyoyev's Wednesday-Thursday (March 22-23) visit to Astana, CA-News.org reported Thursday.
Mirziyoyev and Kazakhstani counterpart Nursultan Nazarbayev signed a joint declaration on deepening their countries' strategic partnership.
Other agreements signed during the visit touched on economic co-operation and co-operation between the countries' foreign and defence ministries, according to Nazarbayev's press office.
Business leaders were expected to sign 75 contracts worth $1 billion at a Thursday business forum, said Nazarbayev, according to Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty.
In another sign of new co-operation, the countries will open two additional border check-points and will convert the three existing check-points to 24-hour operation, said Kazakhstani Investments and Development Minister Zhenis Kasymbek, according to a Thursday report by Kazinform. He did not disclose when the changes will take place.
Mirziyoyev has worked to build relations with Uzbekistan's neighbours since becoming president last year.