Rustam Minnikhanov meets Ambassador of Uzbekistan to Russia Botirjon Asadov

On June 13, at the Kazan Kremlin, Tatarstan President Rustam Minnikhanov met Ambassador of the Republic of Uzbekistan to Russia Botirjon Asadov, who arrived in the republic to take part in the opening ceremony of the  Consulate General of the Republic of Uzbekistan in Kazan.

Minnikhanov thanked President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev and Prime Minister of Uzbekistan Abdulla Aripov for his attention and support for the development of cooperation between Tatarstan and Uzbekistan aimed at strengthening Russian-Uzbek relations.

Tatarstan President noted that interaction with Uzbek partners has been actively developing. In September 2017,  Minnikhanov paid a visit to Tashkent and Samarkand and took part in the 1st Uzbek-Russian Interregional Forum in Tashkent chaired by the heads of states in October last year. Delegations from Uzbekistan have also visited Tatarstan many times. According to Minnikhanov, Tatarstan has especially close ties with the Tashkent region, and contacts are maintained with a number of other regions.

Minnikhanov noted that last year the trade turnover between Tatarstan and Uzbekistan grew by 57 per cent to make 146 million US dollars. “But this is not enough. We have to work on increasing the volume and range of mutual deliveries of goods and services,” he stressed.

A number of cooperation agreements are in force between Tatarstan and Uzbekistan, Minnikhanov continued. Since 1992, a representative office of Tatarstan has been operating in Uzbekistan. Air flights are operated to such cities as Tashkent, Ferghana and Samarkand. “Uzbekistan is a beautiful country with rich history. Tourists from our republic love to visit your cities, get acquainted with the sights,” Minnikhanov said and added that the railway communication was launched between Tatarstan and Uzbekistan.

 “We are interested in expanding cooperation in the field of mechanical engineering, helicopter engineering, petrochemical industry, supply of agricultural equipment, household chemicals, food products,” Minnikhanov added.

He also noted prospects for the development of cooperation in the field of culture, sports, tourism, science and education.

In his turn, Asadov stressed that the opening of the General Consulate of Uzbekistan in Kazan is a historical event that will contribute to the development of friendly relations between Tatarstan and Uzbekistan.