Meeting with Uzbekistan President Shavkat Mirziyoyev

Belarus President Aleksandr Lukashenko and Uzbekistan President Shavkat Mirziyoyev had a meeting on 8 July.

The Uzbek leader is in Belarus on an official visit on 8-9 July.

Aleksandr Lukashenko thanked Shavkat Mirziyoyev for travelling from Asia directly into the center of Europe in this complicated time that is anything but simple. “I think we will have a good meeting and we will discuss all the behind-the-scenes matters. Both public and confidential matters. As always, like friends you and I will share all the information that we have. I’ve been preparing for it. And for a long time at that. Once again I welcome you to my home,” the Belarusian leader said.

In turn, Shavkat Mirziyoyev expressed gratitude for the invitation and stressed that it had been his pleasure to come to Belarus. “It is a great pleasure for me to come and meet with you. Indeed, in these complicated times we have something to talk about, to exchange opinions about all the matters,” he said. “We have indeed been getting ready very seriously for this visit. After your historical visit [an official visit of the Belarus President to Uzbekistan in February 2024] we have had totally different mutual relations at all levels.”

In particular, the Uzbekistan President mentioned regular meetings at the level of the heads of government, heads of the parliaments and ministries.

Business contacts and interregional ties develop vigorously. It is evidenced by the organization of the 3rd Forum of Regions of Belarus and Uzbekistan in Minsk on the sidelines of the visit. “It is the first time I’ve brought such a delegation with me: 230 companies, entrepreneurs from Uzbekistan are in Minsk today. The forum at the highest level. A great deal of promising projects,” Shavkat Mirziyoyev stressed.

He also remarked upon Belarus’ dynamic development: “On my way here I saw how dynamically the country develops. The people are cheerful. The streets are in order as always. The country develops under your leadership, as it should. Once again I congratulate you on these accomplishments. We have a good opportunity to exchange opinions and to talk.”

The official part – negotiations of the heads of state together with the delegations – will take place on the second day of the visit but the joint work program began the day before with a one-on-one meeting. The Belarus President invited his counterpart to his home.

Aleksandr Lukashenko and Shavkat Mirziyoyev also intend to have an informal dinner.