Joint statement of the President of the Republic of Latvia Andris Bērziņš and the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Islam Karimov

During the talks in the spirit of friendship, the heads of both states had a profound and comprehensive exchange of opinions and achieved a common understanding on a broad range of matters as regards the deepening of bilateral relations, practical co-operation in various fields of mutual interest, as well as on the current international and regional issues.

The Presidents noted that a sustained and dynamic development of the relations between the countries, taking into account the new contemporary realities, corresponds to the interests of both countries and will serve the strengthening of friendship between the peoples of Latvia and Uzbekistan. The Parties confirmed their commitment to the principles of the “Agreement on Friendship and Co-operation Between the Republic of Latvia and the Republic of Uzbekistan” signed on 6 June of 1995 as well as a readiness for a continued political dialogue at the highest level and increasing the effectiveness of interaction in commercial and economic, scientific and technological, cultural and humanitarian sectors.

Having discussed the current issues of international politics, the heads of both states underlined the efforts of strengthening peace and stability, establishing a climate of trust and mutual understanding at the regional and international level. The heads of the states noted the necessity for a close co-operation between the two countries, first of all, in the framework of the United Nations and other international organisations.

The Parties confirmed the importance of increasing the role of the United Nations and its institutions in ensuring sustainable development, strengthening security and stability worldwide, addressing global and regional problems on the basis of abiding by the purposes and principles of the United Nations Charter, universally recognised provisions of international law.

The Parties noted the importance of a further deepening of relations between the European Union and the Republic of Uzbekistan and positively evaluated the implementation course of the European Union Strategy for Central Asia. The President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Islam Karimov wished success to the Republic of Latvia with its Presidency of the Council of the European Union in the first half of 2015 and highly welcomed the inclusion of Central Asia-related topics among the priorities of the Latvian Presidency.

The heads of the states regard as necessary the further strengthening of co-operation in the fight against terrorism and extremism, illicit traffic in narcotic drugs, psychotropic substances and their precursors, transboundary organized crime and other present-day challenges and threats. The Parties pledged their commitment to take concrete measures in the fight with the said challenges and threats and underlined the importance of continued activities by the respective Latvian - Uzbek Joint Commission for Development and Coordination of Co-operation between Law Enforcement Institutions of the two countries. In this regard, the Parties noted the importance of further co-operation within the framework of international programmes, including the European Commission’s Border Management Programme in Central Asia (BOMCA) and the Central Asia Drug Action Programme (CADAP).

The heads of the states expressed their interest in a political resolution of the situation in Afghanistan at an early date and in dealing with the urgent problems of the Afghan people with support and assistance from the international community, and noted with appreciation the contribution of both states to the socio-economic revival of the country. The Parties confirmed their intention to provide further contribution to ensuring the stability of Afghanistan by means of strengthening national economy and the development of the International North-South Transport Corridor. In this respect, the Parties commended the successful co-operation between NATO and Uzbekistan.

The heads of the states noted with satisfaction the sustained advancement of commercial and economic co-operation between Latvia and Uzbekistan. The indicators of mutual trade are steadily increasing. Long-term and mutually beneficial partnerships are being strengthened between companies and business circles of the two countries.

In the realisation of the full potential of bilateral relations, major importance is placed on the activities of the Intergovernmental Commission on Economic, Industrial, Scientific and Technical Co-operation. The heads of the states expressed satisfaction with the results of its fourth meeting held in Tashkent on 18 – 19 September of 2013, as well as noting the importance of a further increase of the role of the Commission in the capacity of an effective and efficient mechanism for the coordination and advancement of bilateral co-operation.

The Presidents underscored that one of the key tasks on the agenda of the Latvian-Uzbek co-operation is a further expansion of trade and investment connections, which should facilitate mutual economic growth and prosperity of both states.

In this context, undivided attention will be directed to the issues of the increase and diversification of trade turnover, the implementation of joint investment projects in setting up modern high technology manufacturing facilities, effective use of international transport corridors, and the formation of favourable conditions for the shipment of commercial cargos and entering regional markets.

The heads of the states also noted the necessity of continuing mutual efforts on the implementation of projects in the field of scientific and technical co-operation, technology and innovation exchange. The Parties welcomed the establishment and expanding of the direct contacts between the leading industrial enterprises and companies of the two countries, an active participation of business circles in exhibitions and fairs held in Latvia and Uzbekistan.

The Presidents confirmed their commitment to the intensification of Latvian - Uzbek co-operation in the cultural and humanitarian sector through exchanging programmes and visits in the field of culture, art, education, health care, sports and tourism.

The heads of the states underlined the importance of enhancing co-operation in the field of environmental protection. Latvia and Uzbekistan will co-operate on the matters of dealing with environmental issues and applying the principles of sustainable development in the use of natural resources. The Latvian side acknowledged Uzbekistan’s efforts to solve ecological problems of international scale, including the mitigation of the consequences of the desiccation of the Aral Sea.

The parties noted the necessity of rational and fair use of the water resources of transboundary rivers in Central Asia, based on universally recognised norms of international law, such as included in the 1992 United Nations Conventions on the Protection and Use of Transboundary Watercourses and International Lakes and the 1997 Convention on Law of the Non-Navigational Uses of International Watercourses, taking into consideration the interests of all the region’s states, and supported the position of the European Union that the construction of large scale hydropower facilities on the transboundary rivers of the region should take place only following a compulsory objective international expert examination of their impact on ecological and socio-economic security in the region.

The Parties expressed confidence that the fruitful talks that have taken place and the bilateral documents signed during the visit would facilitate the strengthening of traditionally friendly relations between the Republic of Latvia and the Republic of Uzbekistan on the basis of equality and mutual advantage.

The President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Mr Islam Karimov expressed his gratitude to the President of the Republic of Latvia Mr Andris Bērziņš and the entire people of Latvia for the warm welcome and hospitality extended to the Uzbek delegation and invited the President of the Republic of Latvia to make a high level visit to the Republic of Uzbekistan at the time of his convenience. The dates of the visit will be agreed through diplomatic channels.