Press-Release

US Assistant State Secretary for South and Central Asian Affairs Robert Blake visited Uzbekistan on 11-14 October 2009.

It was the first visit of Mr. Robert Blake in his capacity as Assistant State Secretary, the post he assumed in May 2009.

President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Islam Karimov received at his Oksaroy residence a high-level representative of the US State Department.

President Islam Karimov said that Uzbek-American relations encompass cooperation in various spheres and involve wide range of issues of international policy, including combating transnational threats, strengthening regional security and stability.

It was stressed that Uzbekistan and the US cooperate in establishing peace and stability in Afghanistan and economic renewal of this country. Delivery of non-military and humanitarian cargo to Afghanistan is carried out through the territory of Uzbekistan.

Robert Blake expressed his sincere gratitude to the President of Uzbekistan for cordial reception and noted the interest of the US Administration in further expanding mutually beneficial cooperation with Uzbekistan.

The two sides exchanged with views on the issues of further development of the Uzbek-American relations and also on other topics of mutual interest.

Within the framework of his visit Robert Blake met with the Chairman of the Senate of the Oliy Majlis of Uzbekistan Ilgizar Sobirov and Speaker of the Legislative Chamber of the Oliy Majlis Dilorom Tashmukhammedova.

An exchange of views on developing relations between the legislative bodies of the two countries has taken place during the meeting in the Senate. The US delegation was also acquainted with the work of the bicameral Parliament of Uzbekistan.

At the Legislative Chamber of the Oliy Majlis the two sides discussed the issues of expanding inter-parliamentary cooperation which play an important role in strengthening legal basis of bilateral relations.

In the course of his visit Robert Blake gave a press-conference for the representatives of the local and foreign Mass Media.
In his statement to the press Robert Blake said that he was pleased to have meetings with President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Islam Karimov, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Uzbekistan V.Norov and other members of the Uzbek Government. He stressed that the US highly appreciates assistance of Uzbekistan in establishing peace and stability in Afghanistan.

The cooperation of the US and Uzbekistan in building partnership is carried out on wide range of issues: trade and development, border security, cooperation in the fight against narcotics trade, development of civil society and human rights.

Speaking of his meeting with President of Uzbekistan Islam Karimov Mr.R.Blake said the following: “We have discussed the issues related to our ongoing cooperation and IU expressed gratitude to the President of Uzbekistan for the assistance in solving the Afghan problem, in particular, for the transit of non-military humanitarian goods, providing electricity to Afghanistan”.

“I also met with the representatives of civil society, since this is very important part of our dialogue in relations with all countries, and I was satisfied with conclusions of this meeting. Our friends in the Government of Uzbekistan confirmed that it is also an important priority for them," he added.

Regarding the development of cooperation in the sphere of trade Robert Blake noted that Uzbekistan has very good opportunities for the trade and investment activities from the US. "Uzbekistan has enormous market and highly educated population and it offers a good opportunity for the American companies to successfully realize their activity in Uzbekistan. For instance, “General Motors” is already present in the market of Uzbekistan, through which it will have a prospect of reaching to other markets of the region", noted Robert Blake.

The US diplomat said that the US and Uzbekistan were intending to initiate bilateral annual consultations on a number of questions concerning bilateral relations. He also informed that he had come to Tashkent with the proposal of Washington to host in the US a high-level government delegation from Uzbekistan for undertaking such consultations.

With regard to announced at the NATO/EAPC Summit in Bucharest initiatives of the President of Uzbekistan on creating contact group 6+3 achieve peace and stability in Afghanistan Robert Blake noted that during the meeting President Islam Karimov gave very valuable advices on the situation in Afghanistan. In this connection, the Assistant of the US State Secretary informed of the intention of the Special Representative of the US on Afghanistan and Pakistan Richard Holbrook to visit Uzbekistan in the near future for more detailed discussions on the situation in Afghanistan.

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