Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) -- On 15 December 2022, the fourth round of political consultations between Uzbekistan and the UK in a hybrid format took place in Tashkent.

The event was opened by Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Uzbekistan Gairat Fozilov and Parliamentary Under Secretary of State at the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office of Great Britain Leo Docherty.

Representatives of the ministries of investment and foreign trade, economic development and poverty reduction, justice, defense, internal affairs, the State Inspectorate for Supervision of the Quality of Education, the State Committee for Ecology, Uzhydromet, the Art and Culture Development Foundation also took part in the negotiations from the Uzbek side.

Topical issues of Uzbek-British cooperation, as well as interaction within the framework of multilateral structures, were discussed.

An exchange of views took place on expanding the political and diplomatic dialogue and filling the common agenda with practical content.

The issues of building up economic diplomacy occupied an important place at the talks. In this context, the importance of intensifying direct contacts between the business circles of the two countries, including within the framework of the Uzbek-British Council of Commerce and Industry, was noted.

A preliminary agreement was reached on the development of joint investment projects in various fields, expanding the range of exported goods from Uzbekistan to the UK and increasing trade volumes.

The British side expressed interest in establishing mutually beneficial cooperation in the field of labor migration.

The readiness of the parties to expand cultural and humanitarian ties, deepen cooperation in the scientific field, and implement joint projects in the field of public, higher and professional education was confirmed.

The parties agreed to raise the level of political consultations to a dialogue at the level of deputy foreign ministers.

Certain aspects of regional and international problems are also considered.