Rustam Minnikhanov: We appreciate the opportunity to develop cooperation with Uzbekistan under the friendly Russian-Uzbek relations

On June 10, at the Kazan City Hall, Tatarstan President Rustam Minnikhanov spoke at a joint meeting of the people’s deputy group of the State Duma on relations with the Parliament of the Republic of Uzbekistan and the inter-parliamentary group of the Legislative Chamber of the Oliy Majlis on cooperation with the State Duma of the Russian Federation.

On June 9, members of Uzbekistan parliament headed by Head of the inter-parliamentary group of Legislative Chamber of the Oliy Majlis of the republic, Chairperson of the Committee on Innovative Development, Information Policy and Information Technologies Ilkhom Abdullayev arrived in Kazan and visited Tatarstan State Council, got acquainted with the exhibition of the Museum of Parliament of Tatarstan, and studied the investment potential of the republic in Tatarstan Investment Development Agency.

Welcoming the members of Parliament of Uzbekistan and the Russian Federation, Minnikhanov said that the republic highly appreciates the opportunity of developing cooperation with Uzbekistan under friendly Russian-Uzbek relations. He thanked the Presidents of the two states - Vladimir Putin and Shavkat Mirziyoyev for the special attention to these issues.

“A special role in the development of cooperation between Russia and Uzbekistan belongs to inter-parliamentary contacts. It is encouraging that there are people’s deputies from our republic in the parliamentary group for cooperation with the Parliament of the Republic of Uzbekistan, who also contribute to strengthening bilateral relations. This year marks the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the Russian Federation and the Republic of Uzbekistan. The established good traditions of many years of productive cooperation have become a solid basis for interaction between our countries.

In these difficult times, our countries have maintained an efficient trade, economic, cultural and humanitarian partnership. The Republic of Tatarstan seeks to make a significant contribution to the strengthening of friendship and cooperation between our countries.

In 1993, Tatarstan and Uzbekistan signed an agreement on cooperation. Since 1992, the representative office of Tatarstan has been operating in your country. The Consulate General of Uzbekistan has been operating in Kazan, the city of Kazan and Tashkent are sister cities. There are direct flights between our cities. The current agenda of Tatarstan-Uzbekistan cooperation is quite fruitful. We exchange delegations at various levels on a regular basis.

In May this year, the delegation of your country took part in the events dedicated to the celebration of the 1100th anniversary of the adoption of Islam by the Volga Bulgaria, and the meeting of the Russia-Islamic World Strategic Vision Group, which I have been heading on the errand of Russian President Vladimir Putin,” Minnikhanov said in his welcoming speech.

He also added that a large Tatarstan business delegation took part in the Innoprom International Industrial Exhibition in Tashkent, in March the delegation of Tatarstan visited Uzbekistan.

A number of large Tatarstan companies are cooperating with Uzbekistan.

At the end of last year, the Tatarstan-Uzbekistan trade turnover exceeded 193 million US dollars, an increase made 23.5 per cent. A number of agreements, memorandums of cooperation between ministries, chambers of commerce and industry, enterprises, organizations and universities have been signed and are being implemented.

He also emphasized that the Tatars and the Uzbeks are united by a similar culture, common traditions, a close language and one religion. “It is very important to expand interaction between our peoples in the humanitarian sphere - in culture, science, education, sports, tourism,” Tatarstan President said.

More than 3.5 thousand students from Uzbekistan are currently studying in Tatarstan universities.

Minnikhanov thanked Uzbek colleagues for supporting the Tatar community.

“In general, we have gained good momentum in the development of cooperation with Uzbekistan in many areas. This is proved by the projects being implemented, mutual visits, and the growth in trade turnover. I am sure that today's meeting will give an additional impetus to our work,” Minnikhanov concluded.