Şavkat Mirziyoyev ve Viktor Orban dar bir çevrede görüştü

The talks between the President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev and the Prime Minister of Hungary Viktor Orbán, in a narrow circle and with the participation of official delegations, were held at the Carmelita Palace in Budapest.

The talks considered issues of further strengthening the Uzbek-Hungarian strategic partnership and multifaceted cooperation. It was noted with satisfaction that practical cooperation is developing consistently in all areas. Effective contacts have been established at the levels of parliaments, governments, departments and regions. Close cooperation is being maintained within the framework of the UN, the Organization of Turkic States and other international structures.

The volume of mutual trade is increasing, and cooperation between leading enterprises in various sectors of the economy is intensifying. The importance of increasing the volume of trade, including import substitution and GSP+ status, to 500 million euros in the first stage was noted.

To this end, laboratories will be accredited in accordance with European Union requirements, a program for pre-certification of goods and a joint platform for assisting exporting companies will be launched. Today, the portfolio of joint investment projects amounts to 500 million dollars. New projects worth another 1.5 billion euros have been prepared for this visit.

It was noted that the entry of the Hungarian OTP Bank into the financial market of Uzbekistan was a strong incentive for Hungarian and European businesses. An agreement was reached with the bank to expand financing facilities. These include the creation of a joint venture to develop auto lending and the launch of a business support program. The creation of a poultry cluster in the Syrdarya region is also at an active stage.

At a meeting with business representatives in the morning, agreements were reached on the modernization of transport infrastructure, the construction of highways and logistics centers, the development of utility networks, the production of finished textile products, construction materials, chemical goods, pharmaceuticals, digital technologies, and the implementation of new projects in such areas as fishing.

It was noted that a special industrial zone for European companies is being created in Uzbekistan under the management of the Hungarian operator "Inpark".

In general, it was agreed to prepare and adopt an Investment Partnership Program at the next meeting of the Intergovernmental Commission to be held in Budapest in July of this year.

It was also proposed to resume the activities of the Uzbek-Hungarian Business Council and hold its next meeting in the near future with the broad participation of business representatives.

The fruitful results of the first Forum of Regions held in Kokand in October last year were noted with satisfaction. An agreement was reached to thoroughly prepare for the second forum in Hungary in order to stimulate interregional relations.

Issues of developing direct air flights between the two countries were also considered in order to intensify business, tourism and cultural exchanges.

Particular attention was paid to expanding practical cooperation in the cultural and humanitarian sphere.

In October last year, a bust of the great poet Alisher Navoi was unveiled in the city of Lakitelek. In January this year, the Days of Uzbek Cinema were held in Budapest.

A proposal was made to declare next year the Year of Culture of Uzbekistan and Hungary. Preparations are underway to stage the ballet "Lazgi" on the stage of the Hungarian State Opera House and to hold an exhibition of Uzbek culture at the Ethnographic Museum in Budapest.

Cooperation within the framework of the "Stipendium Hungaricum" program on educational exchange will continue. The possibilities of introducing a system of issuing diplomas recognized in both countries and establishing branches of Hungarian higher education institutions in our country were also considered.

In this regard, it was proposed to hold the third forum of rectors of Uzbekistan and Hungary in Tashkent this year.

The leaders exchanged views on pressing issues of international and regional importance. The importance of continuing cooperation in combating terrorism, extremism, drug trafficking, human trafficking and other modern threats to security was emphasized.

In order to monitor the implementation of the agreements reached, the relevant ministries were instructed to prepare a joint "road map".

At the end of the meeting, Shavkat Mirziyoyev invited Prime Minister Viktor Orbán to pay a return visit to Uzbekistan. Read 'Zamin' on Telegram!