Sergey Saenko, international observer

Russian President Vladimir Putin paid a state visit to the Republic of Uzbekistan (RU) on May 26-27. The Russian leader flew to the republic at the invitation of its president Shavkat Mirziyoyev, who met Putin right at the airport. Less than a month has passed since the inauguration of Vladimir Putin, and he has already made his first state visit to China, then he paid an official visit to Belarus and the next destination was Uzbekistan. Isn’t this an indicator that Moscow’s foreign policy is clearly defined and has its own priorities? The geography of the Russian President’s visits clearly demonstrates these priorities.

By the way, this is Vladimir Putin’s ninth visit to Uzbekistan as head of state. This fact may indicate a serious level of trust between the presidents of the two countries, who are in constant contact. Thus, President Shavkat Mirziyoyev has already visited Russia twice this year. In February in Kazan, he took part in the opening of the “Future Games”, and on May 8-9 in Moscow – in a meeting of the Supreme Council of the EAEU (as the head of an observer state) and festive events on the occasion of the 79th anniversary of Victory Day.

However, let us return to the visit of the Russian President to the Republic of Uzbekistan. Even at the airport, the heads of the two states briefly talked “on their feet” and left in the same car. Then Putin visited the New Uzbekistan park, where he laid a wreath at the Independence Monument. Then he, together with Mirziyoyev, got acquainted with a brief presentation of the preparation projects for the Asian Games and “New Tashkent” posted there. After taking photographs together, the leaders of Russia and Uzbekistan went for informal communication.

On the second day of Putin’s visit, high-level negotiations were held, which took place at the country residence of President Mirziyoyev “Kuksaray” (“Green Palace”). Particular attention during the meeting of the leaders of the two countries, which lasted 3.5 hours, was paid to discussing the state and prospects for the development of bilateral relations, expanding practical interaction, primarily increasing trade turnover. Issues of labor migrants were also touched upon. At the same time, Putin stated that citizens of Uzbekistan make a significant contribution to the development of the Russian economy, including in construction and transport, therefore “Russia will do everything to provide them with decent working conditions.”

Putin and Mirziyoyev exchanged views on current regional issues. It is impossible not to notice that Moscow and Tashkent have close or identical positions on many problems of international life. Therefore, it is not at all surprising that during the negotiations an exchange of views took place on issues of cooperation within the CIS, SCO, and UN.

During the negotiations, the leader of Uzbekistan said: “We have been preparing for this visit very carefully and for a long time. I think it will actually be historic.” In turn, Putin pointed to the representativeness of the Russian delegation, pointing to the special nature of bilateral relations. In particular, the Russian leader emphasized that “Uzbekistan is our strategic partner, a reliable ally.” According to him, relations between the two countries are characterized by dynamic development on the principles of equality, mutual respect and consideration of mutual interests. Moscow constantly keeps under control all current issues of bilateral relations. In general, Vladimir Putin assessed the negotiations with Shavkat Mirziyoyev as constructive and expressed confidence that they would benefit the interstate partnership.

It is worth noting that relations between Moscow and Tashkent have successfully passed the test of three decades of independent development and today are certainly on the rise. Our country is one of the leading economic partners of the Republic of Uzbekistan. According to official data, Russia’s share in the total volume of foreign trade of Uzbekistan is 15.5%. And this, we note, is the second place after China. Thus, in 2023, the total trade turnover between our countries increased by 11.5% and reached $9.7 billion. The goal has been set to double it by 2030. This goal is quite achievable, since the regions of Russia and Uzbekistan are entering into active cooperation, bypassing the Center. Let us add that in January – April of this year, trade turnover between the two countries increased by 30% and amounted to $3.8 billion.

In addition, Russia is one of the key investors in the republic’s economy: total capital investments exceed $9.3 billion. There are about 3 thousand enterprises with Russian participation in the Republic of Uzbekistan, and about 700 companies with Uzbek capital in Russia. This year, Uzbekistan expects another $5 billion in Russian investment.

Moscow and Tashkent cooperate closely in the energy sector. Thus, in October last year, the presidents of Russia, Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan launched the supply of Russian gas to the Republic of Uzbekistan through Kazakh territory. Experts unanimously note that the planned increase in the volume of gas supplies to the republic will help strengthen not only the energy security of Uzbekistan, but also the entire Central Asian region – the zone of our vital interests from the point of view of ensuring Russian security as a whole. Moscow and Tashkent are also going to participate in the construction of a new railway in transit through Afghanistan, which will allow them to gain additional access to the ports of Iran and Pakistan.

Russia and Uzbekistan are working on the creation of large production facilities in the republic itself. We are talking about the construction of a copper processing plant on the basis of the Almalyk Mining and Metallurgical Combine in the Tashkent region, a gas chemical complex in the Bukhara region and the creation of a metallurgical cluster at the Tebinbulak iron ore deposit. Experts note that the strengthening of sanctions restrictions has only fueled the interest of Russian business in Uzbekistan.

But it is not only in the economy that cooperation between the two countries is developing successfully. For example, ties in the field of culture and education are expanding. Thus, last year, more than 30 events of the “Russian Seasons” project were successfully held in Uzbekistan: educational master classes, film screenings, theatrical performances and exhibition activities. In addition, in the Republic of Uzbekistan, the Russian language retains an important role as a language of interethnic communication for the 130 ethnic groups living in the country. Thus, 862 schools in Uzbekistan provide instruction in Russian, and about 150 Russian teachers work here.

In addition, about 63 thousand Uzbek students study in Russia, 14 thousand of them are studying free of charge, including at the expense of regional budgets. There are also 14 branches of Russian universities in the republic, including Lomonosov Moscow State University, MGIMO, and Plekhanov Russian University of Economics. It is noteworthy that literally on the eve of President Putin’s visit, a number of joint events took place in Tashkent – a meeting of rectors of leading engineering and technical universities, a scientific and practical medical conference and Russian Art Week.

I would especially like to note the fact that Putin and Mirziyoyev took part in the first meeting of the Council of Regions of Russia and Uzbekistan. “This is a very important direction, it seems to me,” the Russian leader emphasized. “<…> I am sure that this will really contribute to the development of our trade, economic and humanitarian ties, there is no doubt about that.” Note that Uzbekistan has established the closest ties with Tatarstan and Bashkortostan.

As a result of Vladimir Putin’s visit to Uzbekistan, a solid package of more than 20 documents was signed. Among them are an agreement on the construction of a low-power nuclear power plant in Uzbekistan, a cultural cooperation program, action plans to expand mutual trade, agreements on joint scientific research, film production, memorandums on interaction in mechanical and aircraft manufacturing, etc. This fact can only indicate that Russian-Uzbek relations will continue to develop successfully.