Uzbek president, Belarusian deputy PM discuss broader strategic partnership, nuclear power cooperation

TASHKENT. July 20 (Interfax) - Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev has discussed the implementation of the agreements reached during his recent official visit to Minsk, and cooperation in the nuclear power industry at a meeting with Belarusian Deputy Prime Minister Viktor Karankevich, the president's press service said in a statement on Monday.

Karankevich, who is leading a Belarusian delegation, conveyed greetings and best wishes from Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko to Mirziyoyev, the statement said.

"Pressing matters of the subsequent expansion of Uzbek-Belarusian strategic partnership were considered. The fruitful results, primarily in the trade and economic sphere, of the Uzbekistani leader's official visit to Minsk on July 8-9 this year, were noted with satisfaction," the statement said.

The sides stressed the importance of the timely implementation of an approved plan of measures to increase their trade to $2 billion and to advance joint cooperation projects in prioritized economic sectors, the statement said.

Separately, the discussion focused on interaction in the nuclear power industry, including Uzbekistan using Belarusian experience when building its first nuclear power plant, including expert support for the design, construction and operation of the facility, training national specialists and developing the cooperation between relevant higher-education institutions.