Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak and his Uzbek counterpart Isam Karimov on Wednesday, 18 April, expressed hope that security and stability would be established in the Middle East and Central Asia.

In a joint statement, the two presidents voiced support to all efforts aimed at averting clashes among civilisations.

They also underlined the necessity of respect of religions and cultural identities and traditions of people.

The two presidents highlighted their full cooperation within the framework of the United Nations and the Organization of Islamic Conference to coordinate stances on non-proliferation of weapons of mass destruction.

According to the joint statement, talks between the Egyptian and Uzbek presidents dealt with means of boosting bilateral cooperation in the various domains.

The two leaders voiced their support for all efforts aimed at the non-proliferation of weapons of mass destruction.

The Uzbek side voiced its support for an Egyptian initiative for rendering the Middle East a region free from weapons of mass destruction.