08.02.2024

The President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev and the President of the Republic of Belarus Aleksandr Lukashenko made statements for the mass media after the negotiations.

They expressed their satisfaction with the outcomes of the regular meeting of the Intergovernmental Commission, the Interregional Forum and the Business Council held on the eve of the visit. Earlier, rectors of leading universities and heads of medical institutions met.

The President of Uzbekistan drew the journalists' attention to the qualitative changes in Uzbek-Belarusian cooperation in recent years. The activation of contacts at all levels, growth of trade turnover, cooperation projects, resumption of cultural and humanitarian exchanges and direct air links were noted.

The Leaders reported that extensive negotiations had taken place, during which a wide range of Uzbek-Belarusian relations had been thoroughly discussed, and priorities and goals for the development of the multi-faceted partnership had been set.

The commitment to deepen dialogue within regional and international organizations - the United Nations, the CIS and the SCO - was reaffirmed.

Particular attention was paid to increasing trade turnover. The Leaders of the two countries set themselves the task of increasing its volume to over US$1 billion in the coming years.

In this regard, it was agreed to set up a joint foreign trade company and to implement mechanisms to support trade deliveries.

Priority areas for industrial cooperation have been identified. These include the agro-industrial complex, electrical engineering and textiles, healthcare and pharmaceuticals, urban planning and utilities.

Special attention has been paid to the effective use of the potential and opportunities of interregional contacts.

Active exchanges in the fields of culture and the arts, higher and vocational education, tourism, youth and sports will continue. Concrete directions of cooperation in the field of healthcare were outlined.

The parties agreed to organize further forums on medicine, education and tourism.

Confidence was expressed that the agreements reached and the documents signed would contribute to the strengthening of Uzbek-Belarus friendship relations and give concrete practical content to the multifaceted partnership.