Uzbek TV
June 17

resident Islam Karimov met with visiting Latvian Foreign Minister Indulis Berzins at the presidential Oqsaroy residence on Monday.

The Uzbek head of state described the current visit as a significant stage in future relations. Islam Karimov underlined that our country attached deep significance to links with Latvia, seeing that country as a reliable partner in many areas and when considering a host of topical issues. Collaboration under the NATO Partnership for Peace programme is a case in point.

Islam Karimov stressed that cooperation should be stepped up, for which the two countries enjoy great potential. On the other hand, it was noted that there had been particular dynamism in expanding trade, which was worth over 100m dollars in 2001.

The common aspiration towards integrating so as to form regional and international political and economic institutions serves as a reliable political climate that is favourable to developing a mutually beneficial dialogue. Latvia follows a policy that brings it closer to Uzbekistan, regarding it as a key partner in the region.

On the same day, the Latvian foreign minister, Indulis Berzins, was received by the speaker of the Supreme Assembly [parliament], Erkin Khalilov. During friendly talks, a wide range of issues of mutual interest were discussed. Special attention was paid to the all-round development of interparliamentary ties and the further stepping up of Uzbek-Latvian cooperation.

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