Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev and Mongolian President Ukhnaa Khurelsukh held productive talks in Ulaanbaatar, including both bilateral and plenary sessions, as reported by the Uzbekistani Presidential press service. The meetings marked the first state visit in the history of bilateral relations.
President Mirziyoyev expressed gratitude for the warm welcome and emphasized that this visit ushers in a new era of multifaceted cooperation. He also extended congratulations to Mongolia on the upcoming National Revolution Day.
Discussions focused on strengthening the friendship and multifaceted cooperation between Uzbekistan and Mongolia. The leaders noted the increased high-level exchanges, robust trade growth, expanding joint ventures, and initial collaborative projects in healthcare, education, e-commerce, agriculture, and construction materials.
A successful joint business forum with broad participation from both countries’ business communities and sectoral agencies preceded the talks, culminating in the opening of an Uzbekistani trade house and showroom in Ulaanbaatar.
A key focus was deepening economic cooperation. Both presidents acknowledged the significant potential to substantially increase bilateral trade in the coming years, particularly by expanding the range and volume of traded goods. They highlighted the importance of expediting agreements on preferential trade and investment protection.
President Mirziyoyev advocated for enhanced industrial cooperation, identifying several priority areas. These include partnerships in the extractive sector, encompassing geological exploration programs, resource development, technology transfer, experience sharing, and personnel training. The recent opening of a Uzbekistani Ministry of Geology representative office in Ulaanbaatar was welcomed as a positive step.
The leaders also expressed interest in comprehensive agricultural collaboration, focusing on the creation of joint clusters and cooperative projects in the processing and production of dairy, meat, wool, and leather goods.
Strengthening transport links and developing new logistics routes received significant attention. Plans for launching direct air links between the capitals by the end of the year were announced. Joint research, in collaboration with the International Analytical Institute for Landlocked Developing Countries, was proposed to identify the shortest and most efficient transport corridors.
The importance of continuing active cultural and humanitarian exchanges was underscored. The ongoing Uzbek cultural days, art events, and tourism initiatives in Ulaanbaatar were noted with satisfaction.
Agreement was reached on actively developing cooperation between universities and resuming the education of Mongolian students in Uzbekistani institutions through allocated quotas. A roadmap was agreed upon to ensure the timely and effective implementation of all agreements.
Concluding the meetings, President Mirziyoyev invited President Khurelsukh to make a reciprocal state visit to Uzbekistan.