On March 4, 2019, the President of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan Arif Alvi, at Aiwan-e-Sadr Palace palace, received the Ambassador of Uzbekistan Furkat Sidikov, the press service of the MFA reports.
During the talks, the head of Pakistan highly appreciated the socio-economic reforms, as well as legal and institutional changes carried out in Uzbekistan under the leadership of President Shavkat Mirziyoyev.
The President stressed that Pakistan fully supports the foreign policy initiatives of the leadership of Uzbekistan, aimed at strengthening good-neighborly relations in the region, and its efforts to achieve sustainable peace in Afghanistan. Pakistan also shares and supports our country's position on security issues and the fight against international terrorism, the development of regional interconnectedness, the expansion of transport infrastructure and energy cooperation.
The Pakistani leader noted with satisfaction the dynamic growth of trade between our countries, drawing attention to the fact that in 2018 Uzbekistan became the leading economic partner of Pakistan in Central Asia. He expressed interest in further deepening of mutually beneficial and multifaceted bilateral ties.
At the meeting, possibilities of establishing cooperation between the regions of the two countries, especially between the province of Punjab and Namangan region, which are linked by the historical heritage of the great Baburids, were considered.
“Uzbekistan, with its rich history, is the birthplace of the great Islamic thinkers, which gives your country special respect and appeal in the hearts of my fellow countrymen,” the President of Pakistan said.
President Arif Alvi, who is also the Chairman of the Committee on Scientific and Technological Cooperation of the OIC, confirmed the readiness of this Committee to work actively and fruitfully with Uzbekistan, primarily in the framework of the Second OIC Summit on Science and Technology in 2020.
At the end of the meeting, the President of Pakistan conveyed his sincere greetings to the President of Uzbekistan and wished him success in conducting large-scale reforms.
