Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) -- U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken held a press conference with foreign and domestic media.

- Good afternoon everyone! This is my first visit to Uzbekistan and I’d like to thank President Shavkat Mirziyoyev and Acting Foreign Minister Saidov for the warm and welcoming reception. 

The partnership between our countries began after Uzbekistan gained its independence and has been expanding in recent years. Here I have felt a strong desire to strengthen all ties. This partnership begins with attention to the country’s youth. The United States invested US$25 million last year. In cooperation with the government of Uzbekistan, we have begun training 15,000 Uzbekistani English teachers and providing 10,000 schools with English language textbooks.

"In cooperation with the government of Uzbekistan, we have begun professional development for 15,000 Uzbekistani English teachers and providing 10,000 schools with English textbooks," Blinken said.

Today I took part in a class of Uzbekistani English language learners. It was not just about learning English, but also about preparing the younger generation of Uzbeks to compete for jobs, connecting with native English speakers in the region, and opening doors to academic leadership exchange programs in the United States, he added.