Uzbekistan, Russia ready to strengthen bilateral ties

Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) -- On the invitation of President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Islam Karimov, President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin paid a visit to Uzbekistan with an official visit on 10 December. The visit became logic continuation of the Uzbek-Russian political dialogue and bilateral meetings at various levels. As Uzbek President Islam Karimov said during the meeting with Vladimir Putin, Uzbekistan is always open for Russia and peoples of two countries are connected with over thousands threads.

Undoubtedly, the meeting between Islam Karimov and Vladimir Putin became a logical continuation of dialogue at high level and determined important directions and long-term perspectives of strengthening strategic partnership of two states, which will meets interests of people of Uzbekistan and Russia.

Batir Mirzayev, chairperson of Karakalpak Council of the Liberal Democratic Party of Uzbekistan (UzLiDeP), said that Russia is stable and important trade partner of Uzbekistan. He noted that 25% of overall foreign trade of Uzbekistan falls to share of Russia and half of trade of Uzbekistan with the CIS states. The volume of mutual trade made up US$7 billion in 2013.

He noted that at the same time, UzLiDeP believes that Uzbekistan and Russia have untapped potential, using of which will help to further develop cooperation. He underlined that signing of intergovernmental agreement on the priority areas for developing and deepening economic cooperation in 2015-2019 will play important role as it determines priority directions of cooperation.

At the talks, the sides also considered increasing bilateral trade via supply of agriculture products from Uzbekistan to Russia. Uzbekistan plans to develop infrastructure of processing raw agriculture materials, which will help develop famers’ movement. UzLiDeP believes that launch of capacities for processing agriculture products will help further develop industry in rural areas and improve prosperity of people.

Tulqin Fayziev, deputy chairperson of Tashkent regional Council of UzLiDeP, said that cooperation of Uzbekistan and Russia have firm legal framework. Uzbekistan and Russia signed an agreement on strategic partnership in 2004 and agreement on allied relations in 2005, as well as the declaration on deepening strategic partnership in 2012.

The Concept of foreign political activities of Uzbekistan outlines that cooperation with Russia meets interests of both countries and sever to strengthening stability and security in the region, he added.

The current visit is rated as fruitful, he noted. In the result of the talks, the countries will expand cooperation in trade-economic, financial-banking, transportation and other sectors. The countries will also expand cooperation in investment sector and adopt measures to increase the volume of investments, first of all non-raw industries.

Azamat Seitov, head of department on international cooperation of the office of Executive Committee of Political Council of UzLiDeP, said withdrawal of ISAF from Afghanistan and related challenges and threats will be serious exam for countries, bordering with Afghanistan. So, this topic was discussed at the meeting of two presidents in Tashkent and the sides exchanged opinion on regional and international issues.

He noted that growing threat of terrorism, extremism and radicalism makes these negotiations important.

As Islam Karimov said: “We have attached a special significance to the developments unfolding in the neighboring Afghanistan that has for as long as 35 years suffered from a fratricidal war,” President Islam Karimov said. He suggested that the parties to today’s talks came to a conclusion that the nations adjacent to Afghanistan and those further nearby are going to face a serious test as regards the withdrawal of ISAF peacekeeping forces from that country and the ensuing challenges and threats to regional security and stability.”