A total of 1.7 million citizens of Uzbekistan are in Russia - foreign minister
TASHKENT. July 5 (Interfax) - Uzbekistan pays a lot of attention to the development of relations with Russia as its strategic partner, Uzbek Foreign Minister Abdulaziz Kamilov said.
"According to official information, 1.7 million citizens of Uzbekistan are in the Russian Federation," Kamilov said during dialogue with his fellow citizens in the International Press Club in Tashkent.
Most of them are in Russia for work purposes and Uzbek authorities are taking measures to help them comply with laws and defend their interests, he said.
In this regard, he said that important documents governing relations in the sphere of labor migration had been signed at the initiative of Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev during his state visit to Russia in April.
The practical implementation of these documents was manifested in work to open offices of Russian migration services in Uzbekistan and offices of Uzbek services in Russia, the minister said.
Uzbekistan plans to increase the number of its consular missions in various regions of Russia, he said. The Uzbek diplomatic mission to Russia has now organized a number of events where meetings with Uzbek citizens who live in Russia permanently, migrant workers and students were held.