The Foreign Ministry of Uzbekistan has published the text of the joint statement of Uzbekistan and the United States following the inaugural meeting of the Strategic Partnership Dialogue.

On December 13, the Foreign Minister of Uzbekistan Abdulaziz Kamilov and the U.S. Assistant Secretary of State in the Bureau for South and Central Asian Affairs Donald Lu successfully held an inaugural meeting of the Strategic Partnership Dialogue between Uzbekistan and the United States in Tashkent.

Donald Lu welcomed the ongoing reforms in Uzbekistan aimed at liberalizing the economy, promoting respect for human rights and protecting fundamental freedoms, and developing democratic institutions and civil society, and stressed increased US assistance in support of these reforms, the statement said.

The delegations reiterated the importance and support for Uzbekistan's accession to the World Trade Organization and exchanged views on opportunities to increase U.S. private sector trade and investment in Uzbekistan.

The parties stressed the importance of strengthening cooperation in the field of security by deepening ties between defense departments, law enforcement agencies, border and customs structures.

In addition, Abdulaziz Kamilov thanked the United States for providing Uzbekistan with over six million doses of COVID-19 vaccines as part of the global COVAX program. The United States highlighted its support for Uzbekistan's efforts to combat the coronavirus pandemic.

The United States highlighted its support for Uzbekistan's efforts to combat gender-based violence and discrimination, increase the representation of women in decision-making processes, and modernize the education system.

The United States valued the assistance provided to humanitarian aid providers at the Cargo Center in Termez and welcomed Uzbekistan's initiative to establish a regional logistics hub in Termez under the auspices of the United Nations to provide urgent humanitarian assistance to the people of Afghanistan.

The parties spoke in favor of further stepping up regional cooperation within the C5+1 format, as well as the Trade and Investment Framework Agreement (TIFA).

The Foreign Minister Abdulaziz Kamilov and Assistant Secretary of State Donald Lu have confirmed intention to hold the next meeting of the Dialogue in 2022 in Washington, USA.