Today, the Presidents of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev and Italy Sergio Mattarella held talks at Kuksaroy residence, the presidential press service said.
At the beginning of the meeting, Shavkat Mirziyoyev underscored that the current visit of the President of Italy was an important step in the development of Uzbek-Italian relations.
Sergio Mattarella expressed support for reforms in Uzbekistan and highly commended the country's efforts to ensure stability and deepen integration in Central Asia.
The counterparts discussed the ways to expand the bilateral strategic partnership and focused on the implementation of agreements reached during the official visit of the Uzbek leader to Italy in June.
The two leaders emphasized the importance of continuing active contacts between parliaments and foreign affairs agencies.
The parties reached an agreement to hold the first meeting of the strategic dialogue at the level of heads of foreign affairs agencies next year. Active contacts will also be continued within the framework of the Central Asia - Italy meeting.
In the field of economic cooperation, since the beginning of this year, the two-way trade has increased by 30%. The portfolio of joint projects topped 9 billion euros. In order to develop trade relations, Shavkat Mirziyoyev proposed to develop a comprehensive trade promotion program.
They underscored the examples of successful cooperation with leading Italian companies in the metallurgical, energy, electrical, agricultural and other industries are. Interest in attracting leading Italian high-tech companies to participate in projects to modernize the Uzbek economy.
The parties welcomed the opening of the Confindustria Uzbekistan Industry Association in Tashkent, which is expected to contribute to the deepening of industrial cooperation.
They reached an agreement to prepare, within the framework of the current intergovernmental group, proposals for new areas and localization projects.
The President of Italy expressed his readiness to support the swift accession of Uzbekistan to the World Trade Organization and the adoption of the Enhanced Partnership Agreement with the European Union.
The importance of stimulating direct contacts between the regions of the two countries was underscored. In this regard, it was proposed to establish a Forum of Regions of Uzbekistan and Italy and hold its first meeting in Samarkand next year.
While, the prospects for the development of cultural and humanitarian cooperation were discussed in detail. One example of successful interaction is the activity of the branch of the Turin Polytechnic University in Tashkent. On the basis of this leading university, next year the Center for the Transfer of Advanced Italian Technologies will be launched.
The growing interest in learning the Italian language in Uzbekistan is emphasized. A common opinion was expressed on the importance of teacher training and the phased introduction of teaching the Italian language in schools in Uzbekistan.
They also reviewed the plans to hold joint exhibitions of fine art in Italy. Next year, Days of Culture, Cinema and Tourism of Uzbekistan and Italy will be held in both countries.
The parties highly commended the archaeological research conducted by the joint team of the Samarkand Institute of Archeology, the universities of Bologna and Naples in Samarkand.
The heads of state separately underscored the need to expand academic exchanges and hold a joint educational forum.
They exchanged views on the international and regional agenda, continued cooperation in combating common challenges and security threats.
