15/06/11 - Cooperation based on long-term interests

Дата публикации: Jan 15, 2012 12:54:27 PM

As previously reported, at the invitation of President Islam Karimov, on 13 June, President of Russia Dmitriy Medvedev arrived in Uzbekistan on a working visit.

On 14 June, meeting of President Islam Karimov and Russian President Dmitri Medvedev was held in suburban complex of Kuksaroy.

Welcoming the guest, Uzbek head of state noted that the visit of President of Russia to Uzbekistan was considered as conclusive evidence of the high level of mutual relations and served as embodiment of political commitment to strengthen cooperation in all areas based on long-term interests of both counties and their people.

The sides stated that today the cooperation between the two countries was developing steadily in all directions and mechanisms for effective cooperation in political, trade-economic, cultural and humanitarian spheres were launched.

Russia is the largest trade partner of Uzbekistan. Bilateral trade has a positive trend. Last year it grew by almost 50% to USD 6.4 billion.

During the meeting of Uzbek-Russian intergovernmental commission for economic cooperation on 31 May, the issues of expanding economic cooperation through the involvement of new industries and products were discussed, UzA informs.

Uzbekistan exports natural gas, agricultural products, transport and communication services, vehicles, textiles and more to Russia. Non-ferrous and ferrous metals, mechanical and electrical equipment, wood products and wood processing industry are imported to Uzbekistan from Russia.

The cooperation in agriculture is intensifying, increasing volumes of supplies of fruits and vegetables.

Dynamics and diversification of investment cooperation is evident in the increasing number of joint ventures. In Uzbekistan, there are 843 Uzbek-Russian JVs. In addition, 135 firms and companies of Russia have opened their offices in our country. The Russian Federation has 385 joint ventures created with Uzbek partners.

The scale of investment cooperation is expanding. In this regard, the implementation of large scale works in conjunction with such companies as Gazprom, Lukoil, Soyuzneftegaz, Stroytransgaz, Volgaburmash, etc., to develop the infrastructure of the fuel and energy complex geological prospecting, exploration and development, should be noted.

Also, extensive contacts in the area of humanitarian cooperation, covering the areas of education, culture, healthcare, tourism and others are established between the two countries.

Priority is given to contacts in the field of science and education. A vivid example is the activities of branches of Russian Economic University named after G. Plekhanov, Moscow State University named after Lomonosov and the Russian State Oil and Gas named after Gubkin in Tashkent.

At the Uzbek-Russian high level meeting, along with the most important issues of bilateral cooperation were also addressed topical issues of international politics, particularly, the management issues in Central Asia as well as water and energy resources were reviewed.

For construction of hydraulic structures in rivers in the region should be agreed with neighboring countries and an independent international review of such projects should be carried out.

The sides also discussed the situation in the region. They noted the importance of cooperation in strengthening security and stability. It was stressed that lasting peace in Afghanistan promote interaction between the interstate and interregional relations.

Islam Karimov and Dmitriy Medvedev discussed in detail the key issues of bilateral relations. Important job was held, which is usually figuratively called “reconciliation hours” at the highest level. It appears that the agreements reached in the near future will find real shape in the form of specific documents, mutually beneficial projects aimed at development of bilateral cooperation for the benefit of the peoples of Uzbekistan and Russia.