Uzbekistan, Tashkent, March 10 / Trend, D. Azizov /
The first round of political consultations between foreign ministries of Uzbekistan and the Philippines was held in Tashkent, a source in government circles told Trend.
The two sides exchanged views on prospects of development of bilateral relations, as well as regional and international problems, particularly, discussed the situation in the Central and South-East Asia, recent events in North Africa and the Middle East.
The meeting also discussed cooperation within the UN and other international organizations in cooperation against drug dealing, terrorism, organized crime and extremism.
The Uzbek side took into account the Philippine side's intention to obtain observer status at the in the Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC) and expressed hope for rapid settlement of situation in the southern Philippines.
The sides stressed that there is a considerable potential for developing trade and economic cooperation, expand interaction between the two countries' financial institutions and banks and agreed to study the possibility of deepening the cooperation in scientific, technical, cultural, humanitarian and tourism spheres.
As a result of the meeting, the sides signed a memorandum of understanding on cooperation and bilateral consultations between the Uzbek Foreign Ministry and Foreign Department of the Philippines.