Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) -- Uzbekistan and San Marino have established diplomatic relations. Thus, San Marino became the 136th country with which Uzbekistan establishes diplomatic relations, DUnyo news agency reported.

On 3 February, an official ceremony of signing the Protocol between Uzbekistan and San Marino on the establishment of diplomatic relations took place

According to the Embassy of our country in Italy, the document was signed from the Uzbek side by Ambassador Otabek Akbarov, and from San Marino - by Ambassador to Italy Daniela Rotondaro.

After holding domestic procedures in the two countries, the Protocol will enter into force and San Marino will become the 136th country with which Uzbekistan has established diplomatic relations.

San Marino is one of the smallest states in the world (61 square kilometers), located in Southern Europe and surrounded on all sides by the territory of Italy. Within its current borders, San Marino is considered the oldest state in Europe (dates back to 301), having one of the oldest constitutions in the world. In addition, San Marino is one of the richest countries in the world in terms of GDP per capita ($ 56,690, 2020).

Ambassador Daniela Rotondaro noted that the establishment of diplomatic relations with Uzbekistan is an important foreign policy event for San Marino and opens up great opportunities for the development of mutually beneficial cooperation in both bilateral and multilateral formats. In particular, the head of the diplomatic mission emphasized readiness for further interaction within the framework of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the International Fund for Agricultural Fund (IFAD) located in Rome. In her opinion, the two countries could cooperate in ensuring food security and healthy nutrition, as well as eradicating poverty. In this context, the Ambassador congratulated Uzbekistan on the successful holding of the 32nd FAO Regional Conference for Europe and Central Asia in November last year, as well as the signing of the Agreement on the establishment of the Uzbekistan Lounge at the FAO headquarters in Rome.

She also expressed her interest in developing bilateral relations through trade and economic cooperation. In particular, according to the Ambassador, San Marino is ready to elaborate and sign bilateral agreements on mutual protection and promotion of investments, avoidance of double taxation. Along with this, Daniela Rotondaro proposed to organize a bilateral business forum and events dedicated to the presentation of the trade, economic and investment potential of Uzbekistan. At the same time, she noted that San Marino, which has close ties with the European Union, can provide Uzbek companies and exporters with good opportunities to enter European markets.

Another important area can be cooperation in the field of tourism. San Marino, which receives more than 3 million tourists annually, is ready to share its knowledge and experience in this area.