Lavrov heads to Uzbekistan to discuss bilateral, regional cooperation

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov is set to pay an official visit to Uzbekistan from April 22 to 23, the Russian Foreign Ministry has confirmed.

According to Interfax, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova said Lavrov will hold talks with Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev and meet with the country’s Foreign Minister during the two-day trip, Caliber.Az reports per Russian media.

"The discussions will primarily focus on the further development of the comprehensive strategic partnership and alliance between the two countries," Zakharova stated.

The talks are also expected to cover a range of international issues, regional security, and cooperation within multilateral frameworks such as the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO), the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS), and the ‘Central Asia – Russia’ format.

Preparations for commemorating the 80th anniversary of Victory in the Second World War will also feature on the agenda, Zakharova added. 

Note that, in May 2024, Russian President Vladimir Putin visited Tashkent, where he and Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev signed 27 agreements to enhance bilateral cooperation across various sectors. These agreements encompass trade, culture, tourism, health, transportation, aviation, higher education, and energy. Notably, they include plans to construct a low-power nuclear power plant in Uzbekistan, with Russia's Rosatom leading the project.

The two nations aim to triple their bilateral trade to $30 billion by 2030. To facilitate this, they have established a joint investment platform to fund significant infrastructure and industrial projects in Uzbekistan, benefiting both countries.

In September 2024, the Prime Ministers of Uzbekistan and Russia convened in Tashkent for the 5th meeting of the Joint Commission at the government leadership level. They signed agreements on accelerated railway transportation ("Agroexpress"), information exchange on pharmaceutical labelling, and medical personnel training.

Additionally, in December 2024, Presidents Mirziyoyev and Putin discussed the implementation of previously agreed-upon projects, emphasizing the importance of coordinated measures to boost mutual trade and cooperation in various sectors.​

By Aghakazim Guliyev