Official negotiations with Uzbekistan President Shavkat Mirziyoyev

Official talks between Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko and Uzbekistan President Shavkat Mirziyoyev took place in Tashkent on 8 February.

The two leaders have met at Kuksaroy Complex, the current state residence of the President of Uzbekistan. It was named in honor of Kuksaroy - Tamerlane's palace in Samarkand, the capital of his empire, which has not survived to this day.

According to protocol practice, the talks were preceded by ceremonial events featuring the guard of honor company. Following the ceremonial welcome to the Belarusian President, with the national anthems of both countries played, the heads of state greeted their delegations and headed to the palace for a photo ceremony. Traditionally, the presidents first hold one-on-one talks, and then members of the two delegations join them.

The head of state thanked Uzbekistan for the traditionally warm welcome and reverent attitude to Belarusians. “I appreciate it very much. We have absolutely trustworthy, friendly relations. Probably, it cannot be more trustworthy,” the President said.

“We are watching with great interest the transformations that are taking place in Uzbekistan. The only thing you need is time. You have missed a lot of time. Now you need to catch up, and it is not easy to do. The most important thing is that you know where to move. You are developing at an amazing pace,” Aleksandr Lukashenko said. “As your close friends, we always stand by your side, because the Uzbek and Belarusian nations are very similar, hardworking, and tolerant. They are hard workers indeed. This is the basis of our relations.”

“We are happy that Uzbekistan, our brotherly country, is rapidly developing. We are interested in Uzbekistan's development because we consider your country as a gateway in Central Asia,” the Belarusian leader stressed.