Russia and Uzbekistan Strengthen Strategic Partnership

Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) — The sixth meeting of the Joint Commission at the level of prime ministers of Russia and Uzbekistan was held in Moscow, where the parties reviewed the implementation of instructions previously given by the presidents of both countries and discussed further deepening of bilateral cooperation.

Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin noted that a stable and regular dialogue continues between the two countries at all levels. According to him, Russia remains one of Uzbekistan’s leading trade partners, with mutual trade turnover increasing by nearly 12.5% last year to close to one trillion rubles.

Special attention was given to energy cooperation. Construction of an integrated nuclear power plant based on a Russian design is continuing in Uzbekistan’s Jizzakh region. The sides also agreed to expand supplies of Russian oil and natural gas.

According to the Russian side, more than 150 projects involving Russian investors are being implemented in Uzbekistan, with a total value exceeding 4 trillion rubles. Key areas of cooperation include energy, light industry, chemicals, mining, metallurgy, pharmaceuticals, telecommunications, logistics, and trade.

It was also noted that two industrial parks with Russian participation are operating in Uzbekistan, located in Chirchik and Jizzakh. Their further development is seen as an important factor in expanding industrial cooperation and producing high-tech goods.

In the humanitarian sphere, the sides highlighted growing cultural exchanges, forums, festivals, and educational programs. A wide network of Russian university branches operates in Uzbekistan, including Moscow State University, MGIMO, and MEPhI.

Mikhail Mishustin emphasized that economic cooperation continues to develop even amid global instability and confirmed readiness for further collaboration within the CIS, Shanghai Cooperation Organization, and the Eurasian Economic Union, where Uzbekistan holds observer status.

Prime Minister of Uzbekistan Abdulla Aripov stated that the strategic partnership between the two countries has reached an unprecedented level, covering trade, energy, industry, and humanitarian cooperation.

He noted that Russia remains a key foreign economic partner for Uzbekistan: over the past five years, bilateral trade has doubled and exceeded US$13 billion in 2025. Trade growth in the early part of this year amounted to around 30%.

According to him, more than 3,200 enterprises with Russian capital operate in Uzbekistan, while the total portfolio of joint projects is approaching US$44 billion. Air connectivity between the countries has reached 367 flights per week, and the number of Russian tourists visiting Uzbekistan has reached a record 1 million people.

The sides confirmed their goal of increasing mutual trade to US$30 billion by 2030 and expressed readiness to further expand cooperation.

A joint communiqué was signed following the meeting.