Implementation of all plans to open a new stage in Uzbek-Russian relations - Uzbek Foreign Minister

02.11.2021 14:06

Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) -- Relations between Uzbekistan and Russia are at their peak. This was stated by the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Uzbekistan Abdulaziz Kamilov in an interview with Russian media.

“For 30 years, we have not had such a wide interaction and such a comprehensive cooperation program. This agenda includes practically all possible spheres: politics, economy, culture, social sphere, security, interaction in the international arena. The Uzbek-Russian relations of alliance and strategic partnership are enriched with serious, substantive content,” he said.

“We began to pay more attention to our interaction in the cultural and humanitarian sphere. A number of convincing examples: the opening of 15 branches of Russian universities, the creation of centers for the study of the Russian language, the constant visits of Russian creative groups to Uzbekistan - these are theaters and many other events. Mikhail Efimovich Shvydkoi was here recently, we talked about these issues together. Interaction in this area creates a favorable background, an atmosphere for cooperation in all other areas, strengthening relations between people, nations,” he added.

“At the CIS forum, Russian President Vladimir Putin spoke about the importance of the Russian language as a language of interethnic communication. We in Uzbekistan have always talked about this. And in the old days, various conferences were also held under this slogan. We will support all new initiatives in this direction, as they will serve the mutual enrichment of cultures,” Kamilov said.

“I know that recently in Russia there has also been an interest in certain groups in the study of the Uzbek language. This is also very nice to hear. Of course, this does not mean that our children in Uzbekistan and Russia will not learn English, French, Spanish or Chinese, but as far as bilateral relations are concerned, this is a very important element,” the minister added.

“We have a joint state program for cooperation in the cultural and humanitarian field. We are implementing it and will continue to work on it. In a word, speaking about the current state of interstate relations, I want to note that we have used a very large potential, while there remains an opportunity to move on, to further strengthen our relations,” said Abdulaziz Kamilov.

In his opinion, the area of security today is one of the main areas of bilateral cooperation.

“As far as interaction with the CSTO is concerned, to one degree or another it exists. Example: joint discussion of some security problems in the SCO-CIS-CSTO format, in which the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev took part,” he added.

“The point is not to designate a specific entry into the CSTO, but to effectively build our cooperation in the field of security. Today, for example, we do not see the need for Uzbekistan to return to the CSTO, assuming that there will be some kind of frontal offensive of regiments, armies, divisions towards Central Asia and Uzbekistan. This, of course, does not exclude the possibility of threats and challenges from individual terrorist organizations, the same ones that continue to remain on the territory of Afghanistan - "ISIL", "Al-Qaeda", "ISIL-Khorasan", which are of a non-local nature. These are Middle Eastern phenomena that, due to various events in that region, have migrated closer to us,” the minister said.

“Therefore, today we see the task not so much to prepare for some big war (and the CSTO is a very serious organization with huge potential), but to timely reflect the pinpoint challenges and threats of terrorism. In this sense, I think that President Shavkat Mirziyoyev is absolutely right when he drew attention to the close interaction, first of all, of our special services. Receiving timely information, warning and suppression. This should be our task,” he stressed.

“We are, of course, monitoring how the situation will develop further. And the forms of cooperation can change. At least at the moment, we do not see the need to restore Uzbekistan’s membership in the CSTO. But in parallel, there is a very strong interaction with Russia and with neighboring states on security issues in the region,” Kamilov said.

Speaking about the upcoming visit of the President of Uzbekistan to Russia, Kamilov noted that the parties worked out a large package of documents, especially of an economic and humanitarian nature.

“It is planned to hold an interregional forum. Given the current pandemic situation, some events will be held in the videoconferencing format. Nevertheless, we will try to solve the set tasks and sign the relevant agreements and agreements, reach agreements and hold, if possible, where possible personally, where it is possible in an online format, all the planned events,” the minister said.

According to him, a large package of documents is being prepared in the field of trade, the creation of new markets. Trade relations, despite the pandemic, are developing dynamically. “We have already crossed the US billion barrier in trade relations between Uzbekistan and Russia and will continue to increase these indicators,” added the head of the Uzbek Foreign Ministry.

Huge opportunities will open up after reaching agreements in the scientific-technical and military-technical fields, he noted.

“Thus, the program is very large and, I think, the implementation of all plans will open not just a new page, but also a new stage in Uzbek-Russian relations,” Kamilov said.

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