VITEBSK, 2 September (BelTA) – Chairwoman of the Council of the Republic of the National Assembly of Belarus Natalya Kochanova outlined the avenues for developing cooperation with Uzbekistan during an expanded-format meeting with Chairwoman of the Senate of the Oliy Majlis of Uzbekistan Tanzila Narbayeva, BelTA has learned.
Natalya Kochanova noted that holding such joint events has become a good tradition for the two countries. “This is a significant contribution to the cooperation between our countries and peoples,” she emphasized.
First of all, Natalya Kochanova congratulated the Uzbek delegation on the Independence Day celebrated on 1 September. “We offer our sincere congratulations on this holiday and share genuine joy in the accomplishments of Uzbekistan. We are well aware of the serious policies being pursued in terms of social and economic development and the attention paid to the people of Uzbekistan, its youth, and women. It is a pride and a responsible attitude towards your people. We are sincerely glad to see Uzbekistan developing so effectively today,” she said.
Natalya Kochanova recalled that Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko always cites the good relations between our country and Uzbekistan as an example. “The tone for the cooperation between our countries is set by our heads of state. Their good and brotherly relations are a confirmation of this. We must certainly do everything necessary to ensure the effective implementation of all agreements reached at the highest level,” she noted.
The reference to the friendship of the two peoples is particularly symbolic in the year of the 80th anniversary of the Great Victory. “Back then, our brotherly Soviet people defended our Motherland shoulder to shoulder. This is the foundation that has been uniting us for many years,” Natalya Kochanova stated.
The first meeting of the inter-parliamentary commission is scheduled for 3 September within the framework of the 3rd Belarus-Uzbekistan Women’s Business Forum in Vitebsk.
“Our countries have a good legal framework. And the task before us is to reach $1 billion [in trade]. We must pursue this goal. I am sure we will hit this target. Our inter-parliamentary cooperation also contributes to the promotion of trade and economic cooperation between our countries,” Natalya Kochanova said.
As proof of this, the speaker pointed to the holding of the third Belarus-Uzbekistan business forum, which also contributes to strengthening of economic ties.
“We always speak of our inter-parliamentary interactions with particular pride. We have developed truly good relations between our upper chambers. We have always supported and continue to support each other in everything done today for cooperation, primarily our cooperation in international organizations and at international platforms, which is very important. In this turbulent world, where various forces seek to blatantly interfere in the internal affairs of states, we pursue our independent policy aimed primarily at strengthening friendship with those who truly wants it, without encroaching on the sovereignty of our country,” Natalya Kochanova noted. “No matter the distance separating us, we feel that our colleagues, the parliamentarians of the Senate of the Oliy Majlis of Uzbekistan, always know they will find support for all initiatives pursued by both our country and your country.”
The key strategic goals of Belarus and Uzbekistan are identical. These are, first and foremost, the people, their well-being, and improving their standard of living. “As for foreign policy – only peace and harmony. We need nothing else,” the speaker stated.
Natalya Kochanova assured Tanzila Narbayeva that Belarus is eager to develop cooperation with Uzbekistan in various spheres. In particular, interaction in women’s organizations and humanitarian cooperation is very important. “Young people from Uzbekistan study at our educational institutions – about 4,000 are studying in Belarus. We are glad that our humanitarian cooperation is developing across all areas. Educational forums are being held, higher education institutions are cooperating, a tourism forum will take place soon, and the Days of Belarusian Culture will be held in Uzbekistan this year. The extensive agenda allows us to continue cooperating efficiently,” she said.
Regional cooperation between the two countries also develops, Natalya Kochanova added.
At the end of the meeting, a protocol to the memorandum of cooperation (establishing an inter-parliamentary commission) and a plan of joint events for 2026-2027 (a roadmap) were signed.
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