Kazakhstan has taken another major step toward strengthening ties with neighboring Uzbekistan after the Senate approved the ratification of a key agreement governing the regime along the two countries’ shared state border.

The newly ratified agreement establishes a comprehensive legal framework for managing and protecting the Kazakh-Uzbek border, while creating clearer rules for cross-border cooperation, trade, transportation, and security, The Caspian Post reports via Kazinform.

According to lawmakers, the document was developed following the successful completion of the demarcation of the Kazakhstan-Uzbekistan border and the signing of the corresponding Demarcation Treaty in December 2022. The agreement itself was signed in Astana on August 8, 2024.

The treaty outlines procedures for maintaining the border and border markers, regulating the movement of people, vehicles, cargo, and property across crossing points, and coordinating flights and economic activities in border areas.

It also introduces mechanisms for preventing and resolving border-related incidents, assisting both countries strengthen security and improve coordination between their respective authorities.

The agreement will contribute to enhancing Kazakhstan’s national security while supporting growing economic and social links between the two Central Asian nations. The framework is expected to facilitate more effective cooperation between government agencies, encourage cross-border development, and simplify management of one of the region’s most important international frontiers.

With the border fully demarcated and a new legal regime now in place, both countries are aiming to create more efficient, secure, and predictable conditions for businesses, travelers, and communities living along the frontier.