"No matter which sphere we consider - energy, the issues concerning the use of mineral raw materials, supply, transportation and selling of gas - they all require medium-term and long-term solutions, not for one or two years," Islam Karimov said during a meeting with the Russian prime minister, Vladimir Putin, in Tashkent on Tuesday [2 September].

Islam Karimov noted that he "understands Russia’s interest in reaching long-term agreements" on these issues. "Uzbekistan, for its part, is open for their discussion and adoption of decisions that will unambiguously meet interests of Russia and Uzbekistan," Islam Karimov said.

He added that Uzbekistan "has rich reserves of mineral raw materials and the issues regarding exploration work also require establishing a long-term position".

The Uzbek president said that his country was "open to Russian capital".