TASHKENT, 8 February (BelTA) – Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko and Uzbekistan President Shavkat Mirziyoyev adopted a joint statement following the talks in Tashkent on 8 February, BelTA has learned.
During the talks, the presidents discussed the most important issues of Belarusian-Uzbek relations and identified key areas for their further development. In the joint statement, Aleksandr Lukashenko and Shavkat Mirziyoyev noted that Belarus and Uzbekistan would continue to make efforts to further develop the partnership.
The heads of state stressed that the priority area of Belarusian-Uzbek cooperation is the further expansion of mutually beneficial trade and economic cooperation. The president welcomed the positive momentum in bilateral trade and pointed to the significant potential still untapped.
"The parties agreed on the importance of increasing mutual trade and expanding its range by involving high value-added products in the trade turnover, creating favorable conditions for the transit of foreign trade goods, developing cooperation between business entities, the private sector and the regions of the two countries," the document said.
The presidents also urged to create favorable conditions for the active development of mechanisms to support export/import operations, to hold exhibitions of industrial, agricultural, food and technological products, business forums, meetings and negotiations between business communities on a regular basis.
The presidents called interaction between the regions one of the priority areas of bilateral cooperation and stressed the priority development of cooperation in agriculture, the integrated development of ties between the agricultural industries and ensuring food security.
The heads of state also reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening bilateral ties in culture, education, science, art, cinematography, tourism, youth policy and sport. In 2024-2025, the parties intend to organize the Days of Belarusian Culture in Uzbekistan and the Days of Uzbek Culture in Belarus.
Aleksandr Lukashenko and Shavkat Mirziyoyev noted the need to step up cooperation in the fight against terrorism, drug and arms trafficking, the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, and other challenges and threats to regional and international security. The parties agreed to continue cooperation in the international arena and expressed their commitment to developing cooperation in the UN, CIS, SCO and other global and regional associations.
