Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) -- Russia plans to open a consulate general in Samarkand, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Yevgeny Ivanov said in an interview with RIA Novosti.

According to him, the department has outlined steps to strengthen the consular presence of the Russian Federation in regions with large Russian diasporas, as well as in popular tourist places.

The emphasis is on the countries of the CIS, the Asia-Pacific region, the Middle East, Africa, and Latin America.

Dmitry Danilov, spokesman for the Russian embassy in Uzbekistan, told Sputnik that the Russian consulate in Samarkand could open in 2023.

This issue is now being actively worked out, and Samarkand was chosen for this mission not by chance, Danilov noted.

“This is not only the second largest city in the country, the world’s largest tourist center, but also recently an event hub for various international forums,” added the press secretary of the Russian diplomatic mission in Tashkent.