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The two presidents discussed development of bilateral relations and exchanged views on a number of current international and regional issues at the talks in narrow format. The talks continued with the two countries’ delegations taking part.

Following the talks, the two presidents signed the Joint Statement by President of Russia Vladimir Putin and President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev. A package of intergovernmental, inter-agency and corporate agreements were also signed during the visit.

The visit saw the signing of intergovernmental agreements on facilitating interregional cooperation, organised recruitment and employment of Uzbekistani citizens for temporary work in Russia, mutual establishment of offices of the relevant bodies working in the migration sector, and cooperation on healthcare, medical education, science and tourism.

Other agreements signed concern development, production and export of high-tech industrial goods, implementing industrial construction and modernisation projects, investment projects in the petrochemicals, mining and metals sectors in Uzbekistan, with participation of Russian companies, purchase and sale of natural gas, oil supplies, joint geological exploration, and organising engineering and innovation work.

Agreements were signed too on cooperation between various agencies in agriculture, medicine, customs, finance and other areas.

Mr Putin and Mr Mirziyoyev made press statements following the talks.

Mr Putin later hosted a state dinner in the Kremlin’s Palace of Facets in honour of President Shavkat Mirziyoyev.

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Beginning of Russian-Uzbekistani talks in narrow format

President of Russia Vladimir Putin: Mr Mirziyoyev, friends, colleagues,

Let me wish you a warm welcome to the Kremlin.

We are very pleased that you have found this opportunity to visit Russia. This is your first visit, a state visit, the highest level visit according to diplomatic protocol. Of course, this involves many formal and protocol aspects, but more important are the results we prepared the ground for in our preparations for your visit.

We discussed this on the way here just before, discussed how our colleagues have been working very hard and have prepared a whole package of documents. More important than the documents we will sign today, though, is their content. They represent a genuinely serious step forward in developing our bilateral relations.

We can say already that over the short time since you became president, our trade and economic ties, to which we have always given particular attention, have become considerably more active.

Overall, our trade turnover remains at a high level, and in some areas it is showing quite astonishing growth.

President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev: We have figures of up to 260 percent.

Vladimir Putin: Yes, quite amazing results. This is particularly true of light industry and agriculture. Agriculture has grown more than two-fold and Uzbekistan’s exports to Russia have more than doubled.

We have ongoing dialogue at the political level and our foreign ministers work very closely with each other. We are developing our relations in the security and defence areas too.

Of course, Uzbekistan’s position in the region has great importance for us, given the tensions that affect us in one way or another, the tensions coming from neighbouring countries, above all Afghanistan, of course.

We are very happy to see you. It is a sincere pleasure. I wish you welcome.

I not only hope but am certain that your visit today and our work together will constitute a big step forward in strengthening our bilateral ties.

Shavkat Mirziyoyev: Thank you very much, Mr Putin.

I would like to begin by conveying my condolences to the victims’ families. What happened in St Petersburg pains us all. Terror has no borders or ethnic background. I reiterate, we must join our efforts in this regard and take tough measures. I extend my condolences to the families and friends of the victims, and to you personally.

Of course, first of all I want to express my gratitude that you invited me to come to Russia on a state visit. I think that this is a landmark visit, as you have already mentioned.

During our meeting in Samarkand, we had a candid and trust-based conversation covering all areas. However, much has changed over that short time. I want to express my gratitude to you: everything that we agreed upon with you is being carried out. The package of documents which we will sign today shows that.

I want to express special gratitude with regard to the fact that when you paid tribute to first President of Uzbekistan Islam Karimov in Samarkand, you designated a park in the centre of Moscow to erect a monument to Islam Karimov. The location is good. Thank you again. I think this monument and this park will unite our peoples and serve as a bridge strengthening our friendship.

Of course, as you said, our state agencies are coordinating our positions on political issues. We have achieved major successes in trade and economic cooperation. Many of our partners and colleagues have already met, and there are good results.

Much has been done as well in the cultural and humanitarian sphere. We have brought an exhibition of our remarkable ethnographer Igor Savitsky to the Pushkin Museum of Fine Arts. It means a lot. Nothing binds our peoples as much as culture. I think the fact that we will also visit this exhibition means a great deal.

Speaking about other areas of cooperation and security, our law enforcement agencies and our special bodies meet to discuss serious matters and to compare notes.

You correctly noted that peace in Afghanistan is important especially for us in Uzbekistan. Peace and prosperity in Afghanistan matter to us. We will assist in every possible way and support everything that Russia is currently promoting with regard to Afghanistan. There will be a meeting on April 14, and our departments will certainly participate. We are impressed by everything that Russia is doing with regard to Afghanistan, and we will take an active part in it.

With regard to other issues, I think, a lot has been accomplished in a short time. We will strive to take our strategic partnership and allied relations to the next level.

Today, we had a meeting between our governments. We have very good mutual understanding between our respective governments, their ministries and departments. They already know each other better, have made some headway, and there are actual results.

Thank you once again. Thank you very much for your hospitality and such a nice reception.

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