On May 30, the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev received the Prime Minister of the Russian Federation Dmitry Medvedev, who arrived in Uzbekistan to attend the first meeting of the Joint Commission at the level of heads of governments.

The President of Uzbekistan, warmly welcoming the distinguished guest, noted with deep satisfaction the intensive development and consistent strengthening of bilateral relations of strategic partnership and alliance.

In turn, the Prime Minister of Russia expressed his gratitude to the President of Uzbekistan for the warm hospitality and conveyed the sincere greetings and best wishes of the President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin.

During the conversation, the parties emphasized that the regular and productive dialogue at the highest level, the joint implementation of the arrangements reached during the state visit of the President of Russia to Uzbekistan last October contributed to the expansion of Uzbekistan – Russia multifaceted cooperation, filling it with concrete programs and practical cooperation projects.

Intensification of contacts and mutual exchanges was emphasized. The trade turnover is growing, the green corridor is effectively operating in supplying agricultural products, and a simplified customs regime has been introduced for textile products' access to markets.

Practical implementation of large investment projects worth over 13 billion dollars is conducted within the framework of the bilateral Program of Economic Cooperation at the level of regions and business.

Leading Russian companies and banks such as Gazprom, Lukoil, Forus, Tatneft, Power Machines, Kamaz, Eurocement Group, and Gazprombank, VEB and many others are actively operating in Uzbekistan.

Cultural and humanitarian ties are strengthening. Recently, the 25th anniversary of the Russian Cultural Center was widely celebrated in Uzbekistan, the Regional Conference of Russian Compatriots and the Fifth International Forum of Graduates of Moscow State Institute of International Relations were successfully held.

Current issues of further developing mutually beneficial cooperation and accelerating priority investment projects in various sectors of the economy were considered at the meeting.

Particular attention was paid to timely and qualitative preparation, jointly with Rosatom State Corporation, of a strategic project for construction of a nuclear power plant in Uzbekistan.

The importance of effective use of the regions' potential of the two countries for the more active promotion of trade relations and production cooperation was noted.

An agreement was reached on intensifying exchanges at the level of regional administrations and business circles.

Issues of deepening scientific-technical and humanitarian cooperation were also discussed. Views were exchanged on the international agenda.

It was emphasized that the first meeting of the Joint Commission, which will be held today in Urgench, will become an important stage in preparation of the upcoming summit meetings and will allow to identify new areas of mutually beneficial cooperation.

In conclusion, the mutual readiness and striving for the all-round increase of the long-term Uzbekistan – Russia strategic partnership and alliance, development of full-scale practical cooperation were confirmed.

UzA