Uzbekistan and Japan Hold First Strategic Foreign Ministers' Dialogue

Uzbekistan’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Bakhtiyor Saidov, held a meeting with Japan’s Foreign Minister, Iwaya Takeshi, according to a report from the Uzbek Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

During the meeting, the parties discussed a wide range of bilateral cooperation issues and prospects for strengthening the strategic partnership, The Caspian Post reports citing Uzbek media.

“Glad to meet Foreign Minister of Japan, H.E. Iwaya Takeshi, today at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Uzbekistan”, said Mr. Saidov. “Together with my colleague, we hosted the first strategic dialogue meeting at the level of foreign ministers. We are currently undertaking several major projects in key areas, including the chemical industry and energy. IT, transport, mining, green energy, and other areas remain attractive directions of our further cooperation”.

Following the talks, a joint communique on strategic dialogue between the foreign ministries of the two countries was signed. The document establishes the intention of the parties to develop a partnership in all dimensions - from political and economic to educational and humanitarian.

On the eve of the visit, the Japanese Foreign Minister published an article in the leading Uzbek media, in which he stressed that Tokyo “fully supports Uzbekistan’s efforts to promote reforms in the economic and public spheres and provides comprehensive assistance to its development, including the creation of infrastructure and personnel training”.

The interlocutors expressed confidence that the first strategic dialogue would become a significant milestone in deepening relations between Uzbekistan and Japan and would open up new prospects for the implementation of joint projects.