Uzbek President Islam Karimov received visiting Bahraini Foreign Minister Sheikh Khalid bin Ahmad Al-Khalifa in the Oqsaroy presidential] residence.

President Islam Karimov said: "It is really a historical event as it is for the first time for us to receive a representative of our brothers in faith in Bahrain. I would like to take this opportunity to repeat once again that Uzbekistan sees its relations with the Arab world, the Muslim world, as a priority. In particular, establishing cooperation with Bahrain and its people is of great significance to us. Uzbekistan has been observing Bahrain’s policy, and first and foremost, its foreign policy, and fully supports it."

The Bahraini foreign minister thanked the president for the warm welcome.

Bahraini Foreign Minister Sheikh Khalid bin Ahmad Al-Khalifa said: ’We know the Uzbek head of state as a great politician. We respect his views. Specifically, Bahrain commends Uzbekistan’s efforts to resolve issues in the international arena and is striving for mutual cooperation in this."

The sides discussed issues of mutual interest, the correspondent says; the Uzbek and Bahrain foreign ministries signed a memorandum of understanding.