Associated Press
January 27

King Juan Carlos welcomed President Islam Karimov of Uzbekistan for a three-day official visit aimed at increasing cooperation between their countries.

A 21-gun salute rang out as Karimov and his wife, Tatiana Karimova, met with the king and Queen Sofia at the Pardo Palace outside Madrid and heard the national anthems of their countries.

Later the leader of the former Soviet republic in Central Asia reviewed Spanish troops along with the Spanish monarch and was greeted a delegation led by Prime Minister Jose Maria Aznar, the speaker of the Congress of Deputies, Luisa Fernanda Rudi, and Senate president Juan Jose Lucas.

Karimoz is also expected to meet with the mayor of Madrid, Spanish lawmakers and business leaders.

The visit is aimed at improving political, economic, and cultural ties between the countries and fighting international terrorism and illegal drugs, Uzbek presidential spokesman Sherzod Kudratkhodzhayev said in Tashkent before the president's departure.

During the visit several agreements are expected to be signed regarding political, economic, and humanitarian ties.

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