Bulgaria can be reliable bridge between the European Union and Uzbekistan, as well as Central Asia, Uzbek President Islam Karimov said at the press conference.

Uzbek leader added that Bulgaria can be important unit in realization of measures and projects for implementation of the EU Strategy for Central Asia.

President Islam Karimov said that the sides have good opportunities for further expansion of bilateral trade, level of which is not satisfactory. Uzbek head also said there is need to diversify trade relations between the states.

As earlier reported, Uzbekistan and Bulgaria trade turnover comprised US$4.78 million in January-August 2008. Uzbekistan exported goods and services for US$1.455 million to Bulgaria and imported for US$3.324 million in the reporting period.

Bulgaria will not only work on realization of the EU Strategy for Central Asia, but it can also contribute with real and concrete political actions, Bulgaria’s President Georgi Parvanov said in his turn.

President Parvanov underlined that the countries have common views on necessity to expand and diversify bilateral trade. He said Bulgaria provides great opportunities for investments and doing business.