President Shavkat Mirziyoyev met with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio

On October 19, the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev received U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who arrived in our country to participate in the ministerial meeting in the "C5+1" format and the second meeting of the U.S. – Uzbekistan Business and Investment Council.

 

At the beginning of the meeting, Marco Rubio conveyed to the leader of Uzbekistan the sincere greetings and best wishes of U.S. President Donald Trump.

 

The main attention was focused on further strengthening the Uzbekistan – U.S. strategic partnership and consistently implementing the agreements reached at the highest level.

 

The results of the regular ministerial meeting in the "C5+1" format, at which the United States and the countries of Central Asia confirmed their mutual interest in strengthening dialogue and expanding multifaceted cooperation, were highly appreciated.

 

It was noted with satisfaction that bilateral cooperation has intensified in such priority areas as politics and security, trade and investment, innovation and technology, education and culture.

 

Direct and constructive dialogue has been established between the parliaments and agencies of the two countries, and ties between business circles and the academic community are expanding.

 

Cooperation in the field of security is being strengthened, primarily in such areas as combating terrorism, extremism, illicit drug trafficking, and illegal migration.

 

The establishment of the Expanded Strategic Partnership Dialogue between Uzbekistan and the United States was an important step in developing bilateral relations. Following the results of its first meeting, a number of documents were signed, including the "Artemis" accords in the field of the peaceful exploration of space.

 

Economic cooperation remains one of the main pillars of the strategic partnership. Since the beginning of the year, mutual trade turnover has increased by 35 percent. Within the framework of the economic cooperation program, major projects are being successfully implemented in the fields of civil aviation, automotive industry, mining, energy, agriculture, digitalization, and finance.

 

It was emphasized that the Business and Investment Council plays a major role in developing trade, economic, and investment cooperation. Within the framework of today's meeting of the Council, new agreements worth 12 billion dollars were reached.

 

Cooperation in the humanitarian sphere is also steadily expanding. Webster University, the American University of Technology, and the Competence Center of the Colorado School of Mines are successfully operating in Tashkent. The number of American tourists visiting Uzbekistan is also increasing.

 

The parties also identified new prospects for developing practical cooperation. There is enormous potential for developing cooperation in the fields of critical minerals of strategic importance, energy, transport, artificial intelligence, and digital technologies.

 

Special attention was paid to developing interregional ties and organizing mutual visits of delegations of business circles.

 

A thorough exchange of views was also held on topical issues of international policy and regional security.

 

The plan of upcoming events to be held with the participation of the leaders of the two countries and the issues of enriching them in substance were considered.