The British Ambassador, Rupert Joy, and the Director of the British Council, Steve McNulty, made a short visit to the central regions of Uzbekistan from 22 to 24 February 2010.

In Bukhara, they were received by the Hokim of Bukhara city. They met parliamentary representatives of Bukhara, Oliy Majlis Deputy Mr K Djuraev and Senator K Rakhimov. They called on Mr Mukhiddin Nig’monov, Regional Representative of the Muslims Office. They also visited Bukhara State University, Bukhara Association of Entrepreneurs and the Baha’ al-Din al-Naqshbandi Complex.

In Navoi, they were received by the Hokim of Navoi City. They met parliamentary representatives of Navoi, Oliy Majlis Deputy Mr R Sabirdjanov and Senator K Ibragimov. They visited the Navoi State Pedagogical Institute and toured the Navoi Free Zone.

The Ambassador also paid a short visit to the Urta-Bulak oilfield site in the south of Uzbekistan, operated by Tethys Petroleum.

At Bukhara State University and Navoi Pedagogical Institute, the Ambassador and British Council Director took part in ‘UK Roadshow’ presentations for students and teaching staff.

The Ambassador said: “It is always a real pleasure to interact with students and schoolchildren in this country. They represent a bright future for Uzbekistan. I am always struck by their energy and enthusiasm, and the interest that they display in finding out more about the wider world. The British Embassy and British Council are keen to take our “UK Roadshow” to as many different regions of Uzbekistan as we can. The idea is simple – to present different aspects of the United Kingdom to students and teachers in Uzbekistan’s universities and schools. Hopefully we can do this in a fun way that will be engaging and interesting for young people.”