Negotiations between the Minister for Foreign Affairs of Belarus S.Aleinik and the Minister for Foreign Affairs of Uzbekistan

On April 11, 2024 the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Belarus, Sergei Aleinik, negotiates with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Uzbekistan, Bakhtiyor Saidov, as part of his official visit to Belarus.

The sides discussed in detail practical measures and steps to implement the agreements reached during the recent talks at the level of heads of state. It was stressed that the official visit of the President of the Republic of Belarus to the Republic of Uzbekistan in February 2024, as well as the second Forum of Regions of Belarus and Uzbekistan, have laid a good foundation for expanding bilateral dialogue and implementing joint projects on the basis of equal partnership and mutually beneficial cooperation.

Particular attention has been paid to the issues of increasing bilateral trade, progress in the implementation of industrial cooperation projects, and strengthening food security. The Belarusian side reaffirmed its interest in participating in Uzbekistan's large-scale socio-economic reforms, noting its readiness to share knowledge, technologies and available experience, as well as to contribute to the modernisation of the industrial and agricultural complexes.

In this context, the sides noted the importance of continuing efforts to localise the production of Belarusian machinery in Uzbekistan. The sides discussed opportunities for joint assembly of tractors, localisation of assembly of dump trucks, special-purpose machinery, and creation of a number of other joint ventures. The project to open a multi-brand shopping centre in the suburbs of Tashkent is at the final stage. The centre will offer a wide range of products from such Belarusian companies as "MTW", Minsk Motor Plant, "BobruiskAgroMash", "Lidselmash", etc., which are in demand in the agro-industrial, logging and municipal sectors in Uzbekistan.

The development of international transport corridors and new logistics routes, as well as the prospects for joint work in the markets of third countries were discussed.

The Ministers reaffirmed their interest in further expansion of cooperation in the spheres of education, science, culture, sports and tourism, as well as contacts within the framework of youth organisations.

A detailed exchange of views was held on topical international issues and the situation in the European and Eurasian regions, including in the area of security. Serious concern was expressed about the use of illegal measures of pressure and coercion by certain groups of states, interference in the internal affairs of other countries. This sows distrust in inter-State relations, adversely affects world trade and provokes economic crises.

The Foreign Ministers noted the similarity of approaches to building a dialogue on international platforms and reaffirmed their mutual aspiration for a fairer world order. They agreed to continue close cooperation and mutual support within the framework of global and regional international organisations - the UN, the CIS and the SCO.

The Ministers also reviewed the schedule of bilateral events and visits for the near future.

Negotiations resulted in the signing of a programme of consultations between the Foreign Ministries of the two countries for 2024-2025.

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