Russian President Vladimir Putin continues his visit to Tashkent. Today, he will engage in comprehensive talks with Uzbekistan's leader, Shavkat Mirziyoyev.
Initially, the leaders are expected to have a one-on-one conversation. Following this, they will proceed with discussions involving their respective delegations. The agenda includes Russia-Uzbekistan cooperation in political, trade-economic, cultural-humanitarian, and other fields. Regional issues will also be addressed.
A substantial package of documents is anticipated to be signed at the conclusion of the talks. There is a possibility that Putin and Mirziyoyev will make statements to the press.
Other activities are also planned. Notably, the presidents will speak at the first meeting of the Russia-Uzbekistan Regions Council. Eighteen Russian governors have arrived in Tashkent to participate in this forum.
The Kremlin has highlighted that interregional cooperation between the two countries is thriving, with more than 80 Russian regions directly collaborating with Uzbek regions, establishing stable and mutually beneficial horizontal ties. Leading in these relations are Moscow and St. Petersburg, Tatarstan, Astrakhan, Ivanovo, Moscow, and Chelyabinsk regions.
Economic Cooperation
Moscow and Tashkent collaborate closely on various fronts. Russia is one of Uzbekistan's leading economic partners, accounting for 15.5% of the republic's foreign trade (second only to China). In 2023, the trade turnover between the two countries increased by 11.5%, reaching $9.7 billion (821.3 billion rubles). This growth continued in the first quarter of the year.
Russia is also a key investor in Uzbekistan's economy, with cumulative investments exceeding $9.3 billion. Approximately 3,000 enterprises with Russian participation operate in Uzbekistan, while about 700 companies with Uzbek capital operate in Russia.
Moscow and Tashkent are working on major joint projects in industry. These include the construction of a copper enrichment plant at the Almalyk Mining and Metallurgical Complex in the Tashkent region, a gas-chemical complex in the Bukhara region, and the creation of a metallurgical cluster at the Tebinbulak iron ore deposit.
Another significant joint project is the construction of a nuclear power plant in Uzbekistan designed by Russia. Currently, the parameters of the general contract for the NPP are being agreed upon, along with the construction of a station with small nuclear reactors.
On October 7, 2023, deliveries of Russian gas to Uzbekistan via Kazakhstan began, amounting to 2.8 billion cubic meters per year. The volume of deliveries is expected to gradually increase. This, as noted by the Kremlin, will enhance the energy security of Uzbekistan and the entire Central Asian region.
Russia and Uzbekistan also cooperate in other areas. In Samarkand, a joint production of heavy trucks with Kamaz is operational. In 2023, Shchelkovo Agrochem opened the largest plant in Central Asia for producing chemical plant protection products in the Samarkand region. Yandex became the first online passenger transport service in Uzbekistan. Sber is also implementing digital projects.
Humanitarian Cooperation
Cultural and educational ties are expanding. In 2023, more than 30 events were successfully held in Uzbekistan under the "Russian Seasons" project, including educational master classes, film screenings, theatrical performances, and exhibitions.
The "Class!" project, aimed at improving the quality of Russian language teaching in Uzbekistan, is being implemented. It includes sending Russian teachers to Uzbek schools and comprehensive retraining of Uzbek teachers. By 2030, the project aims to cover nearly all schools (about 10,000) and 30,000 teachers. The "Malysh" program to improve preschool education in Russian is also in its final stages of interdepartmental memorandum agreement.
Overall, the Russian language is actively used in Uzbekistan for interethnic communication (about 1 million Russian compatriots live in the republic, and 70% of the population speaks Russian). Education in Russian is provided in 862 schools in Uzbekistan.
Approximately 63,000 Uzbek students study in Russia, with 14,000 receiving free education, including through regional budgets. The quota for the 2023-2024 academic year was significantly increased. Additionally, 14 branches of Russian universities (including Moscow State University and MGIMO) operate in Uzbekistan.
High-Level Contacts
This is Putin's third foreign trip since the start of his new presidential term (inaugurated on May 7). The visit is a state visit, the highest level in diplomatic terms.
The Russian leader arrived in Tashkent the day before. He visited the "New Uzbekistan" park and laid flowers at the monument marking the republic's independence.
Putin last visited Uzbekistan in September 2022 for the Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit. Mirziyoyev has visited Russia twice this year: in February for the opening of the Games of the Future in Kazan, and on May 8-9 for the EAEU summit (as an observer state leader) and Victory Day celebrations in Moscow.
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Photo: official website of the President of the Russian Federation
Based on materials from TASS