Uzbekistan, Tashkent, Feb. 9 / Trend D. Azizov /
Uzbek Foreign Minister has received Japanese Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Ambassador Yoshihisa Kuroda in connection with the completion of his diplomatic mission in the country, the ministry said today.
The sides have exchanged views on priority areas of the Uzbek-Japanese dialogue.
The traditionally friendly and dynamic nature of bilateral relations was stressed at the meeting. The ambassador's contribution to the ongoing development of political-diplomatic, trade-economic, cultural-humanitarian cooperation was highly appreciated.
Kuroda thanked for support and favorable conditions created for his activity as head of the Japanese diplomatic mission in Uzbekistan.
Japan recognized Uzbekistan's independence in December 1991. Diplomatic relations between the countries were established in late January 1992.
The Japanese embassy was opened in Tashkent in January 1993, the Uzbek Embassy in Tokyo in February 1996.
The exchange notes dated May 17, 1994 laid the legal basis for cooperation. Two countries prolonged eight international treaties through them.
The Declaration on Friendship, Strategic Partnership and Cooperation was signed between Uzbekistan and Japan during Uzbek President Islam Karimov's visit to Japan in July 2002.
The intergovernmental agreement on "Liberalization, mutual protection and encouragement of investments" entered into force in September 2009.
Uzbek-Japanese relations are characterized by mutual respect and trust, which contributes not only to the development of political, trade-economic and investment cooperation, but friendship, cultural and humanitarian ties.
The Japanese government supports Uzbekistan's efforts on democratization, the transition to a market economy and its sustainable development.
At present, the volume of Japanese investments in the Uzbek economy has exceeded $ 2.3 billion.
Japan invests in the projects in the field of rail transport, oil and gas, energy, mining, motor-car construction, telecommunications, electronics and textile.
The representative offices of major Japanese corporations, such as "Mitsui", "Mitsubishi", "Itochu", "Marubeni" were opened in Uzbekistan.