Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) -- President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev and Prime Minister of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan Imran Khan continued negotiations with the participation of official delegations of the two countries. They considered the development of cooperation in the political, trade and economic, investment, transport and transit, tourism, educational spheres.

The head of our state noted the increasingly strengthening relations of traditional friendship and multifaceted practical cooperation between Uzbekistan and Pakistan, as well as the similarity of the reforms carried out in the two countries.

- Pakistan, which has a high prestige in the world, is a promising partner for Uzbekistan with great potential. You and I are building a new Pakistan and a new Uzbekistan. The content and spirit of our socially oriented reforms in all areas are similar and consonant. Your visit will open a new era in the history of our multifaceted relations, - said Shavkat Mirziyoyev.

The sides reaffirmed their firm course towards expanding and developing bilateral cooperation and are ready to take concrete measures in this direction.

Since the last summits and online summit of leaders, there has been a significant breakthrough in the relationship between the two countries. Mutual multifaceted contacts and cultural exchanges have intensified.

A meeting of the joint Intergovernmental Commission took place yesterday. Today, for the first time, a business forum of business people of Uzbekistan and Pakistan is being held in Tashkent.

In recent years, trade between our countries has quadrupled. The number of joint ventures has increased by more than a hundred. Today, there are 163 enterprises operating in Uzbekistan with the participation of Pakistani investors.

Pakistan is an important bridge for Uzbekistan to enter large markets in South Asia and the world. The construction of the Termez-Mazar-i-Sharif-Kabul-Peshawar railway will serve not only to develop trade, economic and investment cooperation, but also to strengthen the interconnection of both regions.

In February this year, in Tashkent, the delegations of Afghanistan, Pakistan and Uzbekistan, with the participation of representatives of international financial institutions, discussed the prospects for this large-scale project and signed a joint action plan - a "road map" for the construction of the railway.

President Shavkat Mirziyoyev noted that our countries have a large untapped potential in the trade and economic sphere and the opportunity to increase the volume of bilateral trade by 4-5 times.

Special attention is paid to cooperation in the fields of agriculture, mechanical engineering and construction, pharmaceuticals and chemistry, light industry and other priority sectors. The implementation of projects in these areas in close partnership between the two countries will open up new opportunities for the economies of Uzbekistan and Pakistan.

During the negotiations, an agreement was reached on the comprehensive stimulation of such projects and the mutual provision of all necessary assistance and benefits for their implementation as soon as possible.

The expanding interregional cooperation should also be noted. In February of this year, the governor of the Punjab province visited our country, and the Namangan delegation visited the Punjab and Sindh provinces.

The leaders emphasized the need to link partnerships with other regions of the two countries. Flights between Tashkent and Lahore have been resumed since 16 June. Further activation of new air routes will also serve to expand cargo transportation and develop mutual tourism.

Our countries are ready to make joint efforts to prevent an aggravation of the negative situation in Afghanistan, to promote the resumption of peaceful inter-Afghan negotiations.

The parties noted with satisfaction the effective interaction within the framework of international structures.

During the talks, issues of developing cultural and humanitarian ties, joint study of our common spiritual heritage, strengthening cooperation in the field of science, education, culture and sports were also discussed.

Friendly relations between the peoples of Uzbekistan and Pakistan have a long history. They are rooted deep into the past and today they receive a new impetus for development. The immortal legacy and enlightened views of great thinkers and poets such as Zakhiriddin Muhammad Babur and his dynasty, Muhammad Iqbal and Mirza Golib are a solid spiritual bridge that connects our peoples.

Therefore, in Uzbekistan there is a growing interest in the history, culture and art of Pakistan, in particular, in the study of the Urdu language. In turn, Pakistan pays great attention to projects aimed at studying the Uzbek language and literature, researching the history of our country.

In particular, the Babur Heritage Center was opened at the Punjab University, and the Alisher Navoi Center for the Study of the Uzbek Language and Culture at the Peshawar University.

In turn, Uzbekistan is increasingly interested in the rich history and culture of Pakistan. Thus, the life and work of the great poet of the East, the outstanding thinker Mirza Golib, the founder of the literary language of Urdu, is deeply studied.

In our country, there are many who want to visit the unique architectural complex Shah-kala in Lahore, the beautiful Shalimar gardens.

Today in Pakistan there are about 10 million followers of the Naqshbandi teachings, as well as many fans of the work of Zahiriddin Muhammad Babur. A willingness was expressed to create all the conditions for them to visit shrines in Bukhara, Samarkand and Andijan. An agreement was reached on joint production of a film dedicated to Babur.

Over the past three years, interest in getting education in medical universities in Uzbekistan has been growing among Pakistani youth. Today, more than 750 Pakistani young people are studying in this area in our country.

The parties agreed to expand cooperation in the field of education and scientific exchanges.

It was emphasized at the meeting that such relations between our countries are the embodiment of sincere aspirations, mutual respect and attention of our peoples to each other.