BAKU, Azerbaijan, Feb. 3
By Ilkin Seyfaddini – Trend:
Michael Pompeo will meet President Shavkat Mirziyoyev and Foreign Minister Abdulaziz Kamilov to reaffirm US support for Uzbekistan’s independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity, as well as its political, economic, and human rights reforms, Trend reports citing the US State Department.
As reported earlier, today U.S. Secretary of State Michael Pompeo has arrived in Tashkent on an official visit.
The US and Uzbekistan work closely together to promote connectivity among the Central Asian states, including Afghanistan. President Mirziyoyev’s policy has contributed substantially to increased regional cooperation and trade.
In November 2019, Uzbekistan hosted the second-ever consultative meeting of all Central Asian leaders and agreed to develop closer regional cooperation in a wide range of fields, including energy and trade.
Uzbekistan has been a strong supporter of the US-led C5+1 initiative. While in Tashkent, Secretary Pompeo will participate in a ministerial meeting with the C5 foreign ministers.
The US and Uzbekistan cooperate closely to maintain security along the border with Afghanistan. The US dedicated $2.2 million to these efforts in Fiscal Year 2018.
Uzbekistan is a strong partner in ongoing U.S. efforts to support regional peace and reconciliation in Afghanistan. President Mirziyoyev has demonstrated strong support for Afghanistan’s political and economic reintegration into the region.
The US trade with Uzbekistan increased by two-thirds last year, from $315 million in 2018 to $514 million in 2019. Through November 2019, US exports to Uzbekistan jumped to $482 million, making Uzbekistan a leading export destination for US goods in Central Asia.
During President Mirziyoyev’s White House visit in 2018, Uzbekistan signed more than 20 business deals with leading US companies, which, if fully implemented, will amount to more than $4.8 billion in value. These planned investments are commercially viable projects that will create thousands of jobs in both the US and Uzbekistan.