On April 5, 2017, the President of Uzbekistan, Shavkat Mirziyoyev held talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin. The official meeting ceremony of the President of Uzbekistan was held before the talks started.

During the talks in narrow format, the sides discussed the issues of advancing the bilateral ties and exchanged views on a number of topical international and regional issues.

Vladimir Putin said: "We are very pleased that You have found an opportunity to visit Russia, and Your first visit is of the highest rank, a state visit. Certainly, there are a lot of formal, purely protocol events, but the most important is what we have come up with in preparation for Your visit. "

"Our colleagues worked very hard and have prepared a huge package of documents. However it is not the papers that matter, but the content of these documents. It is about a really serious, a new step in the development of Russian-Uzbek ties," Putin said.

"We can already say now, at least for the short time since You have become the President, we have seen a significant increase in our trade and economic ties, which we have always paid special attention to. It should be noted that, in general, we have kept the trade turnover at a high level, and in some positions it has grown at an amazing rate," he added.

"Especially this applies to light industry, agriculture. Agricultural turnover has more than doubled, the supply of Uzbek goods to the Russian market has more than doubled," the Russian President said.

"Apart from that, we have a constant dialogue at the political level, the Foreign Affairs Ministries are working very tightly with each other. Relations in ensuring security and defense capacity of our countries are developing,” Putin said.

"And of course, Uzbekistan's position in the region is very important for us, I mean by this the tension from neighboring countries affects us one way or the other, above all, of course, I mean Afghanistan," Vladimir Putin said.

"Not only do I hope, but I am confident that Your visit, our joint work will be another very significant step forward in strengthening bilateral ties," Putin said.

President of Uzbekistan, Shavkat Mirziyoyev said: "I want to begin with offering condolences to relatives and friends. What happened in St. Petersburg has brought pain to all of us. Terror has no borders and nationalities. Once again I want to say that we need to work together on this issue, and take very strict measures. I offer my condolences to families, relatives and to You personally. "

"Of course, first of all I want to express my gratitude for Your invitation to visit Russia with a state visit. I think that our visit, as you have said, is actually a landmark visit," he said.

"During our meeting with you in Samarkand, we had a trustful, frank conversation on all issues. In fact, in that short time, much has changed. I want to express my gratitude to You: everything that we agreed on with You is now taking shape. And the result is the package of documents, which we will sign today," the Head of Uzbekistan said.

"I want to express my special gratitude for the tribute You paid to the first President of Uzbekistan, Islam Abduganievich [Karimov] in Samarkand, for the park and the monument to Islam Abduganievich in the center of Moscow. In a very good location. Thank You again. I think this monument and this square will unite, become a bridge for strengthening the friendship between our peoples," Mirziyoyev added.

"As You said, our agencies are coordinating our positions on political issues. We have very seriously advanced in terms of trade and economic cooperation. Many of our partners and colleagues are already meeting with each other, and we have now serious results," the President of Uzbekistan noted.

"We have done a lot in the cultural and humanitarian sphere. We came here with our exhibition at the Pushkin Museum of Fine Arts, with the exhibition of our remarkable ethnographer, Igor Savitsky. It says a lot, nothing binds the people, as much as the culture. I think that the fact that we will also visit (the exhibition) means a lot," he said.

"You correctly noted that Afghanistan, stability in Afghanistan is important, especially for us, for Uzbekistan peace and prosperity in Afghanistan is vital. We will help in every possible way and support everything that Russia is currently promoting on Afghanistan. On April 14 there will be a meeting, and certainly our agencies, representatives of Uzbekistan will definitely participate. We are very impressed by all that is being done by Russia on Afghanistan, and we will take an active part," Shavkat Mirziyoyev said.

"On all other issues, Vladimir Vladimirovich, I think, in fact, a lot has been done in a short period of time. And we will fill our strategic partnership, alliiance relations with quality," the President of Uzbekistan said.

"Today we met at the Governments levels. There is a very good mutual understanding between the Governments, ministries and agencies. They have become better acquainted with each other, and we have real results," Mirziyoyev said.