Tashkent, Uzbekistan, Sept. 12
By Demir Azizov- Trend:
Uzbek President Islam Karimov held a meeting with the presidents of Iran, Tajikistan and Russia in Dushanbe on Sept.11, according to the Uzbek National Information Agency (UzA).
President Karimov arrived in the capital of Tajikistan to participate in the 14th session of the Council of Heads of State of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), according to the report.
The Uzbek and Iranian presidents discussed the current relations between the two countries in various fields and their further development, including the trade and economic sphere.
The sides stressed that the transport and communication sector is a perspective area of bilateral cooperation. An agreement on the establishment of the Uzbekistan-Turkmenistan-Iran-Oman railway corridor was signed in 2011. The project aims to promote the expansion of trade-economic relations among the countries of Central Asia and the Middle East.
The Uzbek and Tajik presidents discussed various bilateral and regional issues, including the situation settlement in Afghanistan, according to the report.
Tajik President Emomali Rahmon stressed the timeliness and effectiveness of constructive initiatives of Uzbekistan, aimed at increasing the international prestige and effectiveness of the SCO.
The two presidents expressed their interest in strengthening and developing the friendly and neighborly relations that were formed throughout the history of coexistence between the people of two countries.
The constructive conversation was held in a warm and sincere atmosphere. The confidence was expressed that the difficulties and obstacles to the development of relations between the two neighboring countries will be eliminated, as well as within the Treaty of Eternal Friendship, signed in 2000.
The Uzbek and Russian presidents stressed the importance of a regular dialogue between the two countries.
President Karimov said that Russia is a strategic partner for Uzbekistan.
The volume of bilateral trade turnover between Uzbekistan and Russia amounted to $7.1 billion in 2013. The legal base of cooperation between the two countries consists of about 200 interstate, intergovernmental and inter-ministerial agreements.