21 Jan 2019 20:15

Uzbekistan, Germany to boost investment, technological cooperation

TASHKENT. Jan 15 (Interfax) - Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev and German Chancellor Angela Merkel said that they want to bring bilateral relations to the new level, and to enhance investment and technological cooperation.

"We want to bring the relations with Germany to a tangibly new and higher level," the Uzbek leader said at a press briefing following the talks with Merkel in Berlin.

Merkel in turn said that the Uzbek president's visit is highly important after a lengthy pause and will boost bilateral cooperation, the Uzbek presidential press service said.

"We want to be Uzbekistan's reliable partner. We see a lot of opportunities to expand ties between our countries," she said.

At the talks Mirziyoyev and the German chancellor discussed the situation in and prospects of bilateral cooperation in the area of politics and security, trade, technologies and innovations, investment, education, and culture, the Uzbek presidential press service said. The interlocutors expressed interest in further close cooperation as part of the United Nations, the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) and other international bodies. The new Strategy of the European Union regarding Central Asia will foster bilateral ties.

Merkel welcomed Uzbekistan's new regional policy seeking to shape an atmosphere of friendship and mutual trust in Central Asia, settle long-standing disputes peacefully and integrate the region into global economy.

The two leaders also discussed the protection of human rights and environment protection.

"Uzbekistan is open for a constructive dialogue in the area of providing human rights and freedoms, and cooperation to make the public management system transparent and fully eradicate corruption in the country," Mirziyoyev said.

The Uzbek leader thanked the German government for the aid in removing negative aftermath of the Aral Sea disaster, calling for Berlin's active involvement in the activity of the multi-partner Trusteeship Foundation for the Aral Sea Region.

Security cooperation, in particular taking the Afghan problem into account, was addressed at the meeting.

"The interlocutors stressed the need of its peaceful settlement involving all of the parties to the conflict and under Afghan own leadership," the press service said.

Nine intergovernmental and interagency documents in the areas of economy, trade, finances, education, science, and innovations, were signed during the visit, it said.

On the same day Mirziyoyev has held meetings with German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier and Bundestag President Wolfgang Schauble.

The Uzbek president is currently on an official visit to Germany on January 20-22. Mirziyoyev will have meetings with Bavarian Prime Minister Markus Soder, and members of leading German business and financial communities in Munich during the visit on Tuesday.