Russian President Vladimir Putin made a state visit to Uzbekistan on 26−28 May. Following his re-election in March, he traveled to the Central Asian country, marking it as his second state visit after China.
On the evening of 26 May, President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev personally greeted Vladimir Putin at the airport. The main events of the visit were held on 27 May.
Following the meeting in a narrow format, the presidents participated in expanded talks between the delegations of the two countries. They discussed issues related to “deepening relations of comprehensive strategic partnership and alliance”, as well as regional and international agendas.
Shavkat Mirziyoyev emphasized that Uzbek-Russian cooperation has reached an “unprecedentedly high level”, covering all spheres and directions.
Trade
Uzbekistan and Russia have already achieved the previously planned trade turnover of $10 billion. This figure has grown by 30% since the beginning of the year.
During the talks, the presidents agreed on a new trade turnover target of $30 billion in the near term. “There is potential and all possibilities for this,” Shavkat Mirziyoyev said.
In the coming months, a full-fledged trade mission of Uzbekistan is scheduled to be launched in Russia to facilitate the implementation of trade deals and economic projects.
Council of Regions
The first meeting of the Council of Regions of the two countries was held during the visit. Heads of nearly 30 Russian regions arrived in Tashkent for participation.
The presidents called the Forum of Regions a very important initiative that contributes to the development of trade, economic, and humanitarian ties between the two countries.
“When we are helping the regions instead of hindering them, the result will be very high,” the president of Uzbekistan stated. The Russian president replied in agreement.
27 documents
Within the framework of Vladimir Putin’s visit, 27 documents were signed.
In addition to the joint statement of the presidents, action plans have been established to broaden collaboration in priority areas, including industrial cooperation, and to increase trade turnover until 2030.
In the educational sector, agreements were signed on joint programs and projects, including opening of centers and branches of Russian universities, such as the Bauman Moscow State Technical University.
Shavkat Mirziyoyev named Russia a strategic partner in the supply of natural gas, oil, and oil products. “There is an agreement to modernize the gas transportation system, increase the volume of gas, oil, and oil product supplies, as well as implement projects with leading Russian companies to process hydrocarbons,” he stated.
Nuclear power and hydropower
One of the main documents signed these days was a contract for the construction of a low-capacity nuclear power plant in the Jizzakh region of Uzbekistan. Construction of the 330-megawatt plant (six 55-megawatt units each) will begin this summer. Read more
Russia also plans to build two pumped hydroelectricity storages on lakes Aydarkul and Karateren with a combined capacity of one gigawatt.
Migration
The leaders of Uzbekistan and Russia discussed issues of labor migration.
Vladimir Putin noted that Russian authorities will do everything to ensure decent working conditions and social protection for labor migrants from Uzbekistan.
“I am very pleased that Vladimir Vladimirovich supported my proposals on this sensitive issue. I think we will still bring the necessary order to this issue from both sides,” Shavkat Mirziyoyev shared.
The Russian president mentioned that over a million of Uzbekistan’s citizens live and work in this country.
“We appreciate the significant contribution they make to the development of the Russian economy, especially in such dynamically developing sectors as construction, housing and utilities, transportation and logistics,” he said.
Extended visit
Following the negotiations, and the Council of Regions meeting, the presidents continued to talk until 3 AM in the morning. Russian president’s spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said that Shavkat Mirziyoyev invited the Russian counterpart to his house.
“This is absolutely trustful communication, such a real personal friendship,” Peskov commented on journalist Pavel Zarubin’s Telegram channel.
Instead of the scheduled two days, Vladimir Putin’s state visit to Uzbekistan extended into a three-day visit.
“First of all, probably, the volume of bilateral relations,” Peskov replied to a question about the reason. “The agenda is so substantial, so specific, so extensive that it requires quite detailed elaboration by the heads of state. This also explains the unprecedentedly large composition of the Russian delegation. And this is overlaid with very good personal relations,” he shared.
