Kazakhstan’s Majilis, the lower chamber of parliament, has ratified a key agreement with Uzbekistan on the state border regime, marking another step toward strengthening regional cooperation and border security in Central Asia.

The agreement establishes unified rules for managing and using border territories between the two neighboring countries, while also regulating interaction in border areas, The Caspian Post reports via Kazinform.

Under the document, Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan will coordinate procedures related to maintaining the state border, as well as the transit of citizens, vehicles and goods across the frontier.

The agreement also defines regulations for economic and commercial activities in border zones and transboundary waters, while introducing mechanisms to resolve cross-border incidents and expand cooperation between government agencies on both sides.

Several provisions cover flights over border territories and the organization of cultural, socio-political and other public events in border districts.

The implementation of the agreement will boost the effectiveness of bilateral cooperation on border security and further strengthen good-neighborly ties between Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan.

Both countries will carry out the agreement in accordance with their national legislation and international obligations.

The ratification comes as Central Asian states continue to deepen regional coordination on infrastructure, water management and security issues. Earlier, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan agreed on the summer operating schedule for the Bakhri-Tochik reservoir.