Uzbek Leader, Russian Premier Hold Cooperation Talks

Excerpt from report by Uzbek Television First Channel on 2 November

[Presenter] Before the beginning of a summit [of the council of the heads of government of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization member states in Tashkent] Uzbek President Islom Karimov received Russian Prime Minister Viktor Zubkov.

[Passage omitted: correspondent's background on Uzbek-Russian relations; it is Zubkov's first visit to Uzbekistan as the prime minister]

[President Islom Karimov in Russian] We have already felt you here, in Uzbekistan, we know you, and this allows us to once again be confident in the fact that relations between our states and between the leadership of Uzbekistan and Russia is strengthening. I attach special attention to my personal contacts with the Russian president.

[Correspondent] During the interesting talks, the sides discussed new opportunities for developing bilateral relations, which, according to both sides, are far from being used to the full. These spheres include chemical industry, telecommunications, textile, tourism and others. The sides outlined fields of further expanding partnership relations.

Originally published by Uzbek Television First Channel, Tashkent, in Russian 1430 2 Nov 07.

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