President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev held negotiations with President of the Republic of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko in a narrow format and with the participation of official delegations. The meeting discussed issues of further expanding strategic partnership and multifaceted cooperation between the two countries.
The head of our state emphasized that in recent years, relations between Uzbekistan and Belarus have risen to a qualitatively new level.
It was noted that on the eve of the official visit, meetings of the Intergovernmental Commission and the Business Council, political consultations, meetings of analytical centers, Days of Uzbek Culture, and a number of other events were successfully held.
The positive trends in mutual trade and economic cooperation were particularly highlighted during the negotiations. Over the past five years, the volume of goods exchange between the countries has nearly tripled, reaching almost 1 billion dollars by the end of last year. In the current period of this year, this indicator has grown by another 30 percent. Currently, 360 joint ventures are operating with the participation of both countries.
The parties noted with satisfaction the agreement reached to bring the volume of mutual trade to 2 billion dollars. It was also emphasized that a plan of measures has been adopted to implement new cooperation projects in agriculture, mechanical engineering, pharmaceuticals, electrical engineering, light industry, furniture manufacturing, and other sectors.
Uzbekistan expressed its interest in studying Belarusian experience in the use of peaceful nuclear energy and the development of infrastructure in this field.
The results of the third Uzbekistan-Belarus Interregional Forum held in Minsk were also highly appreciated at the meeting. It was noted that a number of trade contracts and investment agreements were signed within the framework of the forum.
The presidents confirmed their readiness to continue mutual support within international structures such as the United Nations, the Commonwealth of Independent States, the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, and the Non-Aligned Movement.
Also, the importance of further intensifying cultural and humanitarian ties was emphasized. President Shavkat Mirziyoyev expressed gratitude to Alexander Lukashenko for the initiative to establish an Uzbekistan-Belarus Friendship Park in Minsk.
The parties also agreed to hold joint forums on tourism, medicine, and education by the end of this year.
At the conclusion of the negotiations, President Shavkat Mirziyoyev invited Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko to pay an official visit to Uzbekistan.
