Uzbekistan - Belarus: time for practical action to further develop cooperation

On September 12, 2018, the President of the Republic of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko arrived in Uzbekistan with an official visit at the invitation of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev.

The main events of the visit began on September 13 with the official meeting at Kuksaroy residence. This was reported by the Press Service of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan.

Shavkat Mirziyoyev and Alexander Lukashenko held negotiations in a narrow format.

The President of Uzbekistan, welcoming the distinguished guest, noted that Uzbekistan and Belarus are sincere friends and reliable partners.

– At our meeting in Samarkand in 2016, we agreed to comprehensively strengthen interstate relations. Over the past two years, cooperation between our countries has reached a level that pleases our people. The trade turnover in 2017 increased by 60 percent. In January-July this year, it grew almost fourfold. This is a unique result, which shows that there is a huge potential for cooperation, aspiration of our people for rapprochement. Moreover, the economies of our countries have a mutually complementary structure, – said Shavkat Mirziyoyev.

The President of Belarus expressed gratitude to the President of Uzbekistan for the invitation.

– Activities carried out under Your leadership in Uzbekistan deserves the highest appreciation, – noted Alexander Lukashenko. – You have implemented wise changes in bоth domestic and foreign policy. You are driving a country with a 33-million population on the right path. Strengthened relations with neighboring countries. I congratulate You on this successful political course. We are ready to cooperate and exchange experience in mutually beneficial spheres.

A wide range of issues of bilateral cooperation was discussed at the meeting. The parties agreed to strengthen the political dialogue, consistently develop mutually beneficial ties.

Sharing views on international and regional agenda, the heads of states confirmed the coincidence of positions of the sides on many current issues. They expressed their readiness to support each other within the framework of the United Nations, the Commonwealth of Independent States and other international structures.

Alexander Lukashenko invited Shavkat Mirziyoyev to visit Belarus at any time convenient for him.

* * *

Extended meeting of Presidents of Uzbekistan and Belarus has started at Kuksaroy residence.

As a result of past meetings of Shavkat Mirziyoyev and Alexander Lukashenko, their resolute desire for fruitful cooperation, Uzbekistan – Belarus relations have gained active dynamics in all directions.

Inter-parliamentary cooperation has been strengthened. The delegation of the Senate of the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan visited the Republic of Belarus.

In August 2018, a meeting of Intergovernmental Commission on bilateral cooperation between the Republic of Uzbekistan and the Republic of Belarus was successfully held in Tashkent.

Joint projects are being implemented in such areas as mechanical engineering, pharmaceuticals, light and food industries, agriculture, tourism and others. Cooperation between business community and leading enterprises of the two countries is strengthening.

Over the past two months, representatives of all regions of Uzbekistan visited Belarus and established partnership.

At the negotiations, the sides exchanged views on prospects of development of trade and economic, investment, transport-communication, cultural-humanitarian cooperation. The Presidents noted the interest in expanding bilateral cooperation, availability of necessary intellectual, technological and labor resources, as well as, most importantly, strong mutual desire.

Deputy Prime Ministers, Ministers and regional leaders proposed promising cooperation projects.

Intergovernmental Commission on bilateral cooperation between the Republic of Uzbekistan and the Republic of Belarus has been tasked to ensure high rates of trade turnover and bring it to 1 billion USD.

An agreement was reached on establishment of broad interregional relations, in particular, development of cooperation in mechanical engineering, textile, food industry, cattle breeding, processing of fruits and vegetables, pharmaceuticals, production of construction materials and other industries. The need for organizing joint ventures and supplying their products to third countries was noted.

The issue of cooperation in implementation of a nuclear power plant construction project in Uzbekistan was also considered.

The parties agreed to develop cooperation in the fields of health, science and technology, higher education and culture, as well as between the academies of sciences of the two countries.

* * *

Following the negotiations, bilateral documents have been signed between Uzbekistan and Belarus.

The President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev and the President of the Republic of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko signed a Joint Statement. This has been reported by the Press Service of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan.

In general, 19 documents on priority areas of partnership were signed during the visit. Intergovernmental agreement on socio-economic cooperation for 2019-2023 and the program for its implementation are of particular importance.

In addition, at the joint business forum, held on the eve, new contracts and agreements worth over $230 million were signed.

At the briefing for the mass media, the heads of states noted that the negotiations were held in the spirit of openness and trust, the effect of their results will be long-term and comprehensive.

President Shavkat Mirziyoyev noted that the first historic visit of the President of Belarus in the past 24 years was fruitful and enriched bilateral cooperation with practical content.

Negotiations confirmed the desire of Uzbekistan and Belarus to strengthen multifaceted partnership. The visit will give a powerful impetus to further development of mutually beneficial cooperation, will raise Uzbekistan – Belarus relations to a qualitatively new, even higher level, the President of Uzbekistan noted.

The official visit of the President of the Republic of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko continues.

* * *

Belarusian products exhibition kicks off at Uzexpocentre, in Tashkent.

The President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev and the President of the Republic of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko visited the exhibition, the Press Service of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan reports.

More than 150 enterprises are demonstrating their products and services here. They are representing the achievements of Belarus in agricultural machinery, metallurgy, chemical, food, textile, household appliances production, medicine, education and other spheres.

Alexander Lukashenko informed the President of Uzbekistan about the potential of these industries, products produced by Belarusian enterprises.

Shavkat Mirziyoyev talked with Belarusian businessmen. Gave instructions to responsible persons for expanding trade relations, development of cooperation between industrial enterprises and regions.

The heads of states noted the importance of expanding bilateral partnership in the field of high technologies, including through cooperation of innovation centers and techno-parks of the two countries, the joint production of demanded goods.

One of the pavilions presents fresh and processed fruits and vegetables, food products produced in Uzbekistan. Their taste qualities and nutritional properties impressed the guests, prompted business people to interest in cooperation in this sphere.

* * *

Presidents Shavkat Mirziyoyev and Alexander Lukashenko opened a joint venture Amkodor-Agrotechmash, established on the territory of Tashkent Agricultural Machinery Plant, the Press Service of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan reports.

The project worth 33 million dollars will be realized in 2018-2021. At the first stage, which is officially commissioned today, will produce construction and agricultural excavators of 12 types. The degree of localization will be brought to 22 percent in 2019 and at least 50 percent in 2021.

The President of Uzbekistan noted the need for expanding the range and increasing the level of products localization. Emphasized that Uzbekistan has a favorable location for the delivery of agricultural machinery to the countries of our region.

The first excavators, descended from the conveyor of the joint venture, were demonstrated.

www.uza.uz