Russia, Uzbekistan discuss measures to expand bilateral trade

By Elena Teslova

MOSCOW (AA) - Russian President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday spoke over the phone with his Uzbek counterpart Shavkat Mirziyoyev and discussed measures to boost bilateral trade.

"Issues of bilateral relations were discussed, including measures to expand mutually beneficial cooperation in trade and economy," a Kremlin statement said.

The two also confirmed mutual interest in further “strengthening of the Russian-Uzbek strategic partnership and alliance,” the statement said.

The Uzbek presidency also issued a statement and said that Mirziyoyev and Putin spoke about primary measures necessary to give impetus to the bilateral trade.

"Special attention was paid to the effective use of the site of the International Industrial Exhibition Innoprom, which will be held at the end of April this year in the city of Tashkent, to promote practical cooperation at the level of business and regions of the two countries," the statement added.