President of Pakistan receives Ambassador of Uzbekistan

Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) –– On 4 March 2019, the President of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan Arif Alvi in the Palace "Ivan-Sadr" received the Ambassador of Uzbekistan Furkat Sidikov, the press service of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Uzbekistan said.

The head of Pakistan highly appreciated the socio-economic reforms carried out under the leadership of President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev, as well as legal and institutional changes in the country.

The President stressed that Pakistan fully supports the foreign policy initiatives of the leadership of Uzbekistan, aimed at strengthening good-neighborly relations in the region, especially its efforts to achieve sustainable peace in Afghanistan.

Pakistan also shares and supports our country’s position on security issues and the fight against international terrorism, the development of regional interconnectedness, the expansion of transport infrastructure and energy cooperation.

The Pakistani leader noted with satisfaction the dynamic growth of trade between our countries, drawing attention to the fact that in 2018 Uzbekistan became the leading economic partner of his country in Central Asia. The interest was reaffirmed in the further deepening of mutually beneficial and multifaceted bilateral ties.

Of particular interest was shown to the possibilities of establishing cooperation between the regions of the two countries, especially between the province of Punjab and Namangan region, which are linked by the historical legacy of the great Baburids.

“Uzbekistan, with its rich history, is the birthplace of the great Islamic thinkers, which gives your country special respect and appeal in the hearts of my fellow countrymen,” the President of Pakistan said.

President Arif Alvi, who is also the Chairman of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Committee on Science and Technology, confirmed the readiness of this Committee to work actively and fruitfully with Uzbekistan, primarily in the framework of the Second OIC Summit on Science and Technology in 2020 in Tashkent .

At the end of the meeting, the President of Pakistan conveyed his sincere respect to the President of Uzbekistan and wished the head of our state success in conducting large-scale reforms.