Putin notes special strategic partnership between Russia and Uzbekistan

TASHKENT. May 27 (Interfax) - Russian President Vladimir Putin has noted that Uzbekistan is one of the first countries he visits after his inauguration as president and the formation of a new Russian government.

"This is one of my first visits following the elections [in Russia] and related procedures, including those aimed at forming the government. It is not accidental that such a representative delegation is visiting Uzbekistan. This underlines the special nature of our strategic partnership and allied relations," Putin said at the beginning of negotiations with Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev in Tashkent.

As reported, Putin paid his first foreign visit after his inauguration to China, followed by a visit to Belarus.

In turn, Mirziyoyev said that the two heads of state have approved a 63-point cooperation roadmap, "which is genuinely being fulfilled." Uzbekistan estimates bilateral trade at $10 billion, he said, adding, "We are working together with colleagues to achieve the $20-billion target in the near future."