live U.S.-Iran standoff continues as Hormuz shipping and diplomacy remain uncertain
Shipping traffic through the Strait of Hormuz remains limited on Thursday, with no increase in vessel crossings as U.S.-Iran talks to res...
Trade turnover between Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan has reached $1 billion, reflecting expanding economic cooperation and strengthening political ties between the two countries.
The figure was highlighted during a meeting in Istanbul between Marlen Mamataliev, Speaker of the Jogorku Kenesh (Parliament) of Kyrgyzstan, and Tanzila Narbaeva, Chairperson of the Senate of the Oliy Majlis of Uzbekistan.
The officials discussed prospects for enhancing interparliamentary cooperation, as well as expanding trade, economic and cultural ties.
Both sides noted that improved bilateral relations in recent years have contributed to rising trade volumes, more diversified exports, and stronger business cooperation.
A key factor behind the growth has been the resolution of long-standing border disputes. Since the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991, sections of the Kyrgyz-Uzbek border remained contested, leading to periodic tensions over land, water resources and access to enclaves in the Fergana Valley.
Progress accelerated after 2017, when Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan intensified political dialogue and signed agreements delimiting large sections of the border. In 2022, Sadyr Japarov and Shavkat Mirziyoyev ratified a landmark border agreement covering the remaining disputed areas. The deal included land swaps and provisions for the joint management of water resources, particularly the Kempir-Abad (Andijan) reservoir.
The agreement effectively finalised most of the approximately 1,400-kilometre border and was described by both sides as a historic step towards stability and cooperation.
Further progress was achieved in March 2025, when Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan signed a trilateral agreement determining the junction point of their shared borders, helping to stabilise one of the most sensitive areas in Central Asia.
Experts note that resolving border issues has significantly reduced tensions in the Fergana Valley, improved cross-border mobility and created more predictable conditions for trade and investment.
Economic ties between the two countries have shown consistent growth. Trade turnover reached $846 million in 2024 and continued to rise in 2025 before hitting the $1 billion mark.
Officials from both countries emphasised that the current level of cooperation is not the ceiling. They highlighted the importance of expanding industrial cooperation, improving transport and logistics connectivity, and strengthening business-to-business links.
In addition to economic cooperation, both sides pointed to growing cultural and humanitarian exchanges, including increased tourism and people-to-people contacts.
Analysts say that the combination of resolved border issues, stronger political trust and expanding economic cooperation is laying the foundation for sustained growth in bilateral trade and deeper regional integration.
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The collective-defence agreement between Türkiye, Saudi Arabia and Pakistan signals that regional powers no longer want to rely solely on external security guarantees. Whether it becomes a stabilising deterrent or another axis of rivalry remains unresolved.
Shipping through the Strait of Hormuz has slowed, according to the latest data, as uncertainty over the waterway’s reopening kept most shipowners away. Six commodity vessels crossed the strait on Tuesday, down from nine the day before and below the 10-day daily average of 11.
Shipping traffic through the Strait of Hormuz remains limited on Thursday, with no increase in vessel crossings as U.S.-Iran talks to resolve the conflict remained stalled. Nine commodity vessels transited the key waterway on Wednesday, unchanged from the previous day, according to Kpler data.
Iran has said the Strait of Hormuz will remain closed until the U.S. fulfils the terms of an interim deal, including lifting the maritime blockade and sanctions and releasing Iran’s frozen assets.
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