His Highness Shaikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, and President of Uzbekistan Islam Karimov held here yesterday talks over a wide range of political and economic issues at regional and international levels.

Shaikh Mohammed and his high-profile host exchanged views on how economy and development play a major role in plugging gaps between nations and building the aspired international peace and stability.

Reviewing bilateral relations at public and popular levels, the two leaders also stressed the need to forge ahead with efforts to extend bridges of cooperation between the two countries in view of crystallising common ideas for building future relations based on joint cooperation in spheres of trade and economy, and exchange of expertise.

Shaikh Mohammed stated his visit to Uzbekistan falls within the framework of his whirl-wind tours of sisterly and friendly countries with the aim of getting first-hand experience at the potentials they have and exchanging views with their leaders and top officials on issues and areas in which the UAE could assist.

The aim, according to Shaikh Mohammed, is also to explore greater scope of economic cooperation and establish jonstructive and fruitful partnerships.

President Karimov praised the progress made by the UAE under the sound development and modernisation policy. He indicated that mega investment projects in the UAE had gained wide international reputation and acclaim. He also noted that Dubai is now a success story having a rich development experience thanks to the vision of Shaikh Mohammed.

Shaikh Mohammed, he maintained, had led a high caliber team which has proven its competency in different fields.

Shaikh Mohammed was welcomed by Uzbek Prime Minister Shavkat Mirziyayev and a number of ministers and senior officials. He is accompanied by a high-ranking delegation comprising Shaikhs, ministers and top officials as well as a crowd of media personalities.