Congratulating leadership and people of Uzbekistan with the 20th anniversary of Independence, he highly rated achievements of Uzbekistan in public-political and social-economic life.

Uzbekistan is ally and brother country for Russia and historic past and success of two nations link each other, he said.

Speaking about the Russian-Uzbek cooperation, Lavrov underlined that it is developing based on traditions.

Talking about social-economic and investment cooperation, Russian minister said that Russia is largest partner of Uzbekistan. During the visit of the Russian President Dmitriy Medvedev to Uzbekisan, it was noted that the bilateral trade turnover grew 35%-40%.

Lavrov underlined that this is good figure. “I think sustainable contacts at high level and regular dialogues between Russia and Uzbekistan is good foundation for effective multilateral system of interaction, created for last several years and covering all ministries and departments of two governments,” he added.

He also highly rated level of cultural-humanitarian cooperation and its role in bilateral relations. He underlined cooperation of two states within CIS, CSTP, SCO and the UN.

On occasion of the 20th anniversary of Uzbekistan’s Independence Day, Lavrov wished well-being and prosperity to the country, success and kindness to people of Uzbekistan on the behalf of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Russia.