Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) -- On 22 May, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation Sergei Lavrov held talks with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Uzbekistan Bakhtiyor Saidov, who was on a working visit to Moscow.

The heads of the foreign affairs agencies discussed in detail the whole range of issues related to the further strengthening of the strategic partnership, alliance and multifaceted bilateral cooperation between Russia and Uzbekistan, including its political, trade, economic, scientific, technical, cultural and humanitarian components. We checked the schedule of upcoming interstate contacts at the highest and high levels.

When discussing issues of regional and international security, Sergei Lavrov outlined Russian assessments of the current situation in Ukraine and the course of the special military operation.

“I want to once again express my sincere gratitude for the hospitable organization of our stay in Samarkand, where a meeting of the CIS Council of Foreign Ministers was held and a number of bilateral meetings were organized. It was a pleasure to meet you personally as the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Uzbekistan,” Sergei Lavrov noted.

Particular attention was  paid to tightening coordination in common integration associations - the CIS, the SCO, and the EAEU. The relevance of the consistent implementation of the agreements and initiatives agreed upon within the framework of these international structures was stated. Russia, as chairman of the EAEU (since 1 January 2023), will continue interested, constructive interaction with Uzbekistan, which has the status of an observer in this association.

The situation in Afghanistan and additional measures to strengthen stability and security in the region were considered in detail.

The importance of interaction on the platform of the UN and the OSCE, which should not depend on the current international situation, was noted.

Bakhtiyor Saidov informed about the preparations for holding early presidential elections in Uzbekistan on July 9 this year. The Russian side expressed full support for this important political event and readiness to provide organizational assistance in holding it for the citizens of Uzbekistan located on the territory of the Russian Federation.

The talks were held in a friendly and constructive atmosphere.