With a view to strengthening economic cooperation with this leading Central Asian country, Minister Fajon met with the Deputy Prime Minister for Investments and Foreign Economic Relations – Minister of Investments and Foreign Trade of Uzbekistan, Jamshid Khodjaev, with whom she signed an economic cooperation agreement between the Republic of Slovenia and the Republic of Uzbekistan. "Relations between our two countries are being developed in a number of areas, with particular focus on the economy. As a result, Uzbekistan is now our largest foreign trade partner in Central Asia," the Minister said. "I am accompanied by a business delegation of representatives of 12 internationally established Slovenian companies, some of which are already operating in Uzbekistan, while for some others, the new agreement will help open the door to this promising Central Asian market. I am pleased to say that today, we have identified concrete steps with Slovenian companies and the Deputy Prime Minister of Uzbekistan, thereby paving the way for our entrepreneurs to enter the Uzbek market," explained the Minister.

Minister Fajon and Deputy Prime Minister Khodjaev also opened the Slovenia-Uzbekistan business forum, which the Minister referred to as an excellent opportunity to showcase the economic potential of both countries and establish new business contacts. Deputy Prime Minister Khodjaev assured the interest in, and support of, the Uzbek Government for Slovenian economic projects.

Later on, Minister Fajon was received by Foreign Minister Bakhtiyor Saidov. The two expressed commitment to strengthening the political dialogue between their two countries and showed interest in enhancing cooperation in bilateral and multilateral areas. They went on to exchange views on the current foreign policy challenges and developments in the region. The Minister condemned the Russian aggression in Ukraine and expressed the hope that peace is restored as soon as possible. "I am convinced that the enhanced political dialogue will bring enhanced cooperation in other areas such as science, sport and, of course, people-to-people relations. Uzbekistan is also an important partner for the European Union and makes a strong contribution to regional cooperation in Central Asia," the Minister said after her meeting with her counterpart.
 
Minister Fajon also visited the IT Park Uzbekistan and learned more about its work. Tomorrow morning, she will meet with Minister of Investment, Industry and Trade Laziz Kudratov and conclude her visit to Uzbekistan by giving a lecture at the University of World Economy and Diplomacy before heading to Bishkek to start her official visit to the Kyrgyz Republic tomorrow afternoon.