Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) - Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Uzbekistan to the Russian Federation Botirjon Asadov met with President of the Republic of Tatarstan Rustam Minnikhanov today. This was reported by the press service of the President of Tatarstan.

During his working visit to Tatarstan, Botirjon Asadov will take part in the opening ceremony of the office of the Consulate General of the Republic of Uzbekistan in Kazan.

Rustam Minnikhanov thanked President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev and Prime Minister of Uzbekistan Abdulla Aripov for his attention and support for the development of cooperation between Tatarstan and Uzbekistan aimed at strengthening Russian-Uzbek relations.

The RT President noted that in recent years, interaction with partners from Uzbekistan has been actively developing. In September 2017, Rustam Minnikhanov attended Tashkent and Samarkand, and in October last year participated in the I Uzbek-Russian Interregional Forum in Tashkent chaired by the heads of state. Tatarstan was also repeatedly visited by delegations from Uzbekistan. According to Rustam Minnikhanov, Tatarstan has particularly close ties with the Tashkent region, and contacts are maintained with a number of other regions.

Rustam Minnikhanov noted that last year the trade turnover between Tatarstan and Uzbekistan grew by 57% and amounted to US$146 million. “But this is not enough. It is necessary to work on increasing the volume and range of mutual deliveries of goods and services,” he stressed.

A number of cooperation documents are being implemented between Tatarstan and Uzbekistan. Since 1992, a representative office of Tatarstan has been operating in Uzbekistan. There is an air communication with cities such as Tashkent, Ferghana and Samarkand. “Uzbekistan is a beautiful country with a rich history. Tourists from our republic love to visit your cities, get acquainted with the sights,” said Rustam Minnikhanov. He added that the railway communication was launched between Tatarstan and Uzbekistan.

The President of the Republic of Tatarstan informed that today the leading Tatarstan companies are actively working: KAMAZ, TAIF, KMPO, Pozis, etc. There is a large project of PJSC TATNEFT for the development of tire production in Uzbekistan. Also discusses joint projects in the field of agriculture.

“We are interested in expanding cooperation in the field of mechanical engineering, helicopter engineering, petrochemistry, supply of agricultural equipment, household chemicals, food products,” Rustam Minnikhanov added.

He also noted the prospects for the development of cooperation in the field of culture, sports, tourism, science and education. Today, over 3 thousand Uzbek students study at universities in Tatarstan. The National-Cultural Autonomy of the Uzbeks of Tatarstan successfully works, uniting 8.8 thousand people.

In turn, Botirjon Asadov stressed that the opening of the General Consulate of Uzbekistan in Kazan is a historical event that will serve the development of friendly relations between Tatarstan and Uzbekistan.

“Today our bilateral relations are developing dynamically. The basis of this is the established friendly, mutual trust relations between our leaders,” the ambassador said.

He thanked the leadership of the republic for supporting the activities of the Consul General of Uzbekistan in Kazan Fariddin Nasriev: "This is very important for us, since the Consul General not only provides consular services, but also actively participates in the development of our trade, economic and humanitarian relations."

“As you have already noted, in recent years, Tatarstan’s relations with the regions of Uzbekistan have been actively expanding. The volume of mutual trade is growing. But we have great potential for the further development of trade and economic relations. Projects with the participation of Tatneft, TAIFA, KAMAZ provide a powerful basis for the further expansion of our cooperation,”,concluded Botirjon Asadov.