President Shavkat Mirziyoyev receives Foreign Ambassadors

On October 16, a solemn ceremony of presenting credentials by newly appointed foreign ambassadors to Uzbekistan took place at Kuksaroy city residence.

President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev received credentials from Ambassadors Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United Arab Emirates Saeed Matar Al-Qemzi, the Islamic Republic of Iran Hamid Nayyerabadi, Ukraine Mykola Doroshenko, the Italian Republic Agostino Pinna, the State of Israel Zehavit Ben-Hillel, the Islamic Republic of Pakistan Syed Ali Asad Gilani and the Republic of India Manish Prabhat.

The Head of the state sincerely congratulated the ambassadors on the commencement of diplomatic activities in Uzbekistan and wished them great success in implementing their responsible and honorable mission to further develop bilateral relations and expand multifaceted cooperation.

The President highlighted the ongoing democratic and socio-economic reforms in the country, including the program of anti-crisis measures to overcome the consequences of the global spread of coronavirus infection.

A commitment to pursuing a constructive and pragmatic foreign policy based on the principles of mutual trust and respect, equality and consideration of interests, openness and good neighborliness was emphasized.

Strengthening multifaceted ties and partnership with Central Asian countries, the Russian Federation, the People’s Republic of China, the United States of America, the European countries, the Asia-Pacific region, the Middle East and South Asia was identified as a priority.

At the same time, important attention is paid to the promotion of economic diplomacy – cooperation in such key areas as trade and investment, high technology and innovation, digitalization, transport and logistics, the banking and financial sector.

In addition, the dynamic and fruitful interaction within the framework of international organizations and financial institutions was noted with satisfaction.

The President of the Republic of Uzbekistan expressed gratitude to the leaders of states, which are represented by the newly appointed ambassadors, for supporting the membership of Uzbekistan in the Human Rights Council – one of the main platforms of the United Nations. This historic event is a testament to the broad international recognition of the country’s progress in the human rights sphere.

At the event, the leader of Uzbekistan, addressing diplomats, outlined the main directions and prospects of bilateral relations with relevant foreign partners.

It was noted in particular that thanks to regular contacts at the highest level, the traditionally friendly and close bilateral relations of Uzbekistan with the United Arab Emirates have entered a fundamentally new stage.

Currently, joint investment projects worth more than $4 billion are in the active phase of implementation with participation of such companies as Masdar, Mubadala, DP World, Abu Dhabi Fund for Development and others. Projects cover alternative energy, infrastructure, chemical industry, agriculture, transport and logistics sector.

Programs are being implemented to improve the public administration system, as well as socially significant initiatives in the Aral Sea region.

It was stated that Uzbekistan is interested in using the great potential of cooperation with Iran.

It was noted that the Presidents of the two countries pay great attention to the expansion of Uzbekistan – Iran relations.

Issues of creating favorable conditions for the growth of trade, cooperation projects in industry and agriculture, the organization of cargo transportation through Iranian ports are of particular relevance. In addition, regular security dialogue is being held.

Ukraine is a traditional partner of Uzbekistan. The President noted that in recent years there has been an intensification of interaction. The trade turnover is growing, important economic and humanitarian programs are being implemented.

At the same time, there are prospects for further expansion of export-import operations, practical cooperation in mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, pharmaceuticals, the textile industry and the agrarian complex, education and healthcare.

Italy, which has great economic and cultural potential, is one of the main partners of Uzbekistan in the European Union.

As noted in the speech of the Head of the state, it is necessary to deepen bilateral relations and multilateral cooperation, including in the format of ministerial meetings “Italy – Central Asia” and within the framework of international organizations.

Important cooperation projects are being carried out with leading Italian companies in metallurgy, agriculture, construction materials and other fields. In addition, a portfolio of promising joint projects worth about $5 billion is being prepared.

Important programs in higher education and cultural exchange are being promoted.

Uzbekistan is closely linked with Israel by traditional partnership. The development of a constructive political dialogue, activation of trade, economic, investment, scientific and technical ties were named as priorities.

It was proposed to strengthen cooperation in high technologies, the introduction of energy and resource saving solutions, agriculture, pharmaceuticals and medicine, education, tourism.

Achievement of these tasks will be served by holding regular high-level meetings and political consultations, launching a bilateral Intergovernmental Commission.

The multifaceted cooperation of Uzbekistan with Pakistan is consistently developing. Today our countries also actively interact within the framework of international and regional organizations.

Fruitful results of the recent visit of the government delegation to Islamabad were noted with satisfaction. In accordance with the agreements, new opportunities are being worked out to increase the bilateral trade, as well as agricultural machinery, textile and leather haberdashery.

Preparations are underway for important transport and transit infrastructure projects that will effectively link Central and South Asia.

The President of the Republic of Uzbekistan noted with satisfaction the modern level of Uzbekistan – India relations achieved in recent years thanks to regular contacts at the highest level.

The first meeting of the foreign ministers of India and the Central Asian states was successfully held in Samarkand last year.

Despite the pandemic, the trade turnover is growing, intensive exchanges continue at the regional and business level, priority projects in education, information and communication technologies, medicine and pharmaceuticals are being jointly promoted, with attraction of Indian investments.

Concluding his speech, President Shavkat Mirziyoyev expressed confidence that the newly appointed ambassadors, with their active and fruitful activities, would make a great contribution to strengthening friendship and developing multifaceted cooperation between the countries.

During the talks, the ambassadors expressed their sincere gratitude to the President of Uzbekistan for the warm welcome and assured that they would make every effort to achieve a qualitative breakthrough in partnership with Uzbekistan, as well as fill the agenda of relations with new concrete content.

UZA