Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) -- On 27 May, the first meeting of the Council of Regions of Uzbekistan and Russia was held in the city of Tashkent, chaired by the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev and the President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin.

It should be noted that this platform, launched by the heads of the two states 6 years ago, operated in the format of a joint Forum for Interregional Cooperation.

Taking into account the rapid pace of development of interregional cooperation, the high dynamics of growth of mutual investments, the number of joint projects, as well as the great potential for expanding areas of cooperation, it was decided to raise the status of the forum and transform it into the Council of Regions of Uzbekistan and Russia, chaired by the Presidents.

Opening the meeting of the Council, the head of our state sincerely greeted President Vladimir Putin and representatives of the Russian delegation, including heads of about 30 regions and 300 representatives of leading industrial enterprises and businesses.

“Such cooperation is highly effective and contributes to the expansion of long-term partnership between Uzbekistan and Russia,” the President of our country emphasized.

We noted with satisfaction the fruitful results of the high-level negotiations held today, which showed a common spirit and desire to expand and strengthen a full-scale partnership in the interests of the two countries and peoples.

Separately highlighted is the intensification of contacts at all levels since the beginning of the year, including between the regions of the two countries. Just last week, delegations from the regions of Uzbekistan visited partner regions in Russia.

In this context, special importance is attached to the further development of interregional dialogue and filling it with new practical content.

Currently, over 200 joint projects worth US$4 billion are being implemented at the regional level. As part of the Council meeting, a new package of agreements worth more than US$5 billion was prepared.

It was noted with satisfaction that during the talks at the highest level, new ambitious goals were set - increasing the volume of trade turnover to US$30 billion in the coming years and disbursing up to US$10 billion of investments next year.

Noting that the regions of the two countries are intended to become the main driver for achieving the set goals, the head of our state outlined a number of priorities for cooperation.

First of all, this is an increase in mutual trade. Over the last 7 years alone, Uzbekistan’s trade turnover with Russia has increased 2.5 times. The structure of mutual supplies has improved qualitatively, primarily due to products with high added value.

Among the main partners are the cities of Moscow and St. Petersburg, Tatarstan, Moscow, Leningrad, Novosibirsk, Astrakhan, Ivanovo, Chelyabinsk regions, Krasnoyarsk, Perm Territory, Bashkortostan and many others.

Action plans have been adopted to increase trade turnover by increasing cooperation and import substitution projects, primarily with the active involvement of the regions in this process.

To support trade and cooperation projects, a full-fledged trade mission of Uzbekistan will be opened in Russia.

The dynamics of investment and technological cooperation were highly assessed. More than three thousand Russian companies operate successfully in Uzbekistan.

Projects are being implemented in the fields of energy, chemistry and petrochemistry, mechanical engineering, agriculture, logistics, textile and food industries and other industries. The Khimgrad industrial zone is expanding in the Tashkent region, launched with partners from Tatarstan, with a branch in Jizzakh region.

- The total portfolio of joint projects already exceeds US$45 billion. As part of the current summit, agreements were reached on new cooperation projects for another 20 billion dollars, a quarter of which falls on the regions, said the head of our state.

Plans were supported to create new joint industrial zones to promote cooperation projects with leading enterprises in Russian regions.

Expanding cooperation in the field of agriculture has been highlighted as a priority. The importance of continuing work to expand the network of agrological centers in the regions of Uzbekistan was noted.

The regions have been tasked with developing wholesale distribution centers in Russia and jointly growing crops with further supplies to our country.

Having focused on the importance of developing tools for supporting and financing regional projects, the head of our state announced the creation of a joint investment platform.

Particular attention is paid to expanding cultural and humanitarian exchange. 14 branches of leading Russian universities have been created in Uzbekistan, including Moscow and St. Petersburg State Universities in Tashkent, MISIS University of Science and Technology in Almalyk, Kazan Federal University in Jizzakh and many others.

During the visit, agreements were reached on the establishment in our country of branches of the Bauman Moscow State Technical University and the All-Russian Academy of Foreign Trade. A three-year Cultural Cooperation Program was adopted.

The President of Uzbekistan emphasized the importance of expanding tourist exchanges. Over the past few years alone, the number of Russian tourists has increased 5 times. All major cities of Uzbekistan and Russia are connected by regular flights.

The leader of our country advocated the adoption of new joint programs for the development of tourist routes and trips to the historical cities of Uzbekistan and Russia.

In turn, President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin, highly appreciating the positive trends in the development of multifaceted relations with our country, emphasized the importance of strengthening existing business contacts, including between the regions of Russia and Uzbekistan. Called on representatives of the business community to more actively participate in the implementation of joint projects and initiatives.

During the meeting, the start of implementation of a number of new major investment projects was announced.

In general, on the sidelines of the Council, a solid package of documents on interregional cooperation and agreements on the development of cooperation in the trade, economic, scientific, technical and humanitarian spheres was signed.