By Aynur Karimova

Uzbekistan and Russia are bound by various factors and disputes on several issues can’t separate the two countries.

This remark was made by Uzbek President Islam Karimov at a meeting with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin during the summit of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization in Ufa, Russia on July 10.



The Uzbek president said the mutual interests of the two countries, the trials that Uzbekistan underwent together with Russian people made them closer and created common future for the two countries, Russian media reported.

Karimov also noted that this unique meeting with participation of the heads of SCO and BRICS member-states is of great importance for both international structures with great social and economic prospects.



The president expressed confidence that the meeting between SCO and BRICS will allow to improve the welfare of the population of the member-countries.

The sides also exchanged views on the issues of cooperation within SCO and BRICS, development of the world economy, in particular, ensuring economic growth, supporting financial stability and structural transformations.

Relations between Uzbekistan and Russia successfully develop on the basis of the strategic partnership agreement dated June 16, 2004 and the treaty on allied relations dated November 14, 2005.

The trade turnover between the two countries exceeded $7 billion in 2013 and stood at $4.55 billion in the first nine months of 2014.

Currently, around 85 Russian firms and companies are operating in Uzbekistan. Meanwhile, some 512 enterprises with Uzbek capital operate in Russia. The total volume of investment made by Russian companies in the Uzbek economy amounts to $6 billion.

--

Aynur Karimova is AzerNews’ staff journalist, follow her on Twitter: @Aynur_Karimova

Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz