Welcoming Mirziyoyev, Putin congratulated him on winning the presidential election. “The result says that people trust you,” he said.

Putin added that “for Russia, Uzbekistan is not just a close neighbor, but also an ally.”

During the talks, the parties will discuss issues of further strengthening bilateral relations of strategic partnership and alliance, and will sign a number of documents.

Putin and Mirziyoyev will also raise security issues along the border with Afghanistan.