Uzbek-Russian ties mutually beneficial, President Karimov says
By Aynur Karimova
Cooperation between Uzbekistan and Russia is mutually beneficial for both countries, Uzbek President Islam Karimova said at a meeting with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov in Tashkent on July 15.
Karimov noted that Uzbekistan considers this meeting as a natural continuation of regular political contacts, allowing the two countries to exchange views on a wide range of issues of mutual interest.
Lavrov, in turn, thanked President Karimov for the warm welcome and the opportunity provided to thoroughly discuss topical issues of the bilateral agenda and regional issues.
As part of his visit to Uzbekistan, the Russian foreign minister also met with his Uzbek counterpart Abdulaziz Kamilov.
The two foreign ministers discussed the relevant issues of bilateral relations, the prospects for developing the cooperation in political, trade, economic, cultural, humanitarian and other fields.
The sides focused on the practical steps for implementation of the agreements reached during the meeting of the two countries’ presidents Islam Karimov and Vladimir Putin at the summit of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization in Ufa, Russia on July 10.
Relations between Uzbekistan and Russia successfully develop on the basis of the strategic partnership agreement dated June 16, 2004 and the treaty on allied relations dated November 14, 2005.
Priority areas for further deepening of the Uzbek-Russian comprehensive dialogue is to enhance economic and investment ties.
Russia is one of the largest trade partners of Uzbekistan. The trade turnover between the two countries exceeded $7 billion in 2013 and stood at $4.55 billion in the first nine months of 2014.
Currently, around 85 Russian firms and companies are operating in Uzbekistan. Meanwhile, some 512 enterprises with Uzbek capital operate in Russia. The total volume of investment made by Russian companies in the Uzbek economy amounts to $6 billion.
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Aynur Karimova is AzerNews’ staff journalist, follow her on Twitter: @Aynur_Karimova
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