On 20 April Lithuanian Minister of Foreign Affairs Petras Vaitiekunas paid an official visit to Uzbekistan, where he was received by President of Uzbekistan Islam Karimov, Speaker of the Legislative Chamber of Uzbek Parliament Erkin Halilov and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Uzbekistan Vladimir Norov.
During the meetings important issues of bilateral and regional cooperation, and international policy were discussed, Foreign Ministry of Lithuania reported.
The Ministers of Foreign Affairs of
During the meeting Minister P.Vaitiekunas stressed that the existing legal basis of bilateral agreements is a good foundation for the development of economic cooperation. The trade turnover of the countries does not fulfil their economic potential, as in 2006 the turnover of Lithuanian and Uzbek trade amounted to 95.4 million Lithuanian litas (UzDaily.com: According to Uzbek statistic data, trade turnover between states made up US$42.1 million in 2006). The Minister expressed hope that during the Lithuanian-Uzbek Business Forum the businessmen would establish direct contacts, which would help to intensify economic cooperation.
Minister V.Norov emphasized that in
Stressing that
The Head of Lithuanian diplomacy indicated that
They named cooperation projects in the areas of education, science and culture as important.
During the meeting it was agreed to make better use of activities of intergovernmental trade and economic cooperation, as well as of transport commissions. The countries are striving to enhance cooperation in the areas of transport, processing and light industry, small and medium business, and tourism infrastructure.
While exchanging opinions on regional cooperation, Minister P.Vaitiekunas stressed the importance of bilateral cooperation fighting against global threats and challenges.
Minister P.Vaitiekunas invited
Speaker of the Legislative Chamber of Uzbek Parliament E. Halilov indicated that
Speaker E. Halilov remarked that
On 20 April Minister P.Vaitiekunas also met with Lithuanian community and its president Kęstutis Kerėjevas. Memebers of the community, which is comprised of almost 1000 Lithuanians, told the history of Lithuanians settling down in