Uzbekistan triumphs over Moscow in contest

In a significant development, President Shavkat Mirziyoyev of Uzbekistan had a telephone conversation with US President Donald Trump. The conversation focused on expanding strategic cooperation between the two nations.

During the discussion, the leaders discussed practical steps to develop Uzbek-American relations. The conversation included a focus on regional political issues, with a particular emphasis on increasing the volume of mutual trade and promoting new joint projects.

The USA is becoming an increasingly significant partner for Uzbekistan, with dependence on Russian markets decreasing. This shift is evident in the 15% increase in bilateral trade turnover between the two countries in 2024, which reached $882 million.

Experts believe that the USA's role is growing in Uzbekistan's economy. This growth is not limited to economic cooperation, as the countries also aim to strengthen their partnership in various fields.

The portfolio of future initiatives includes civil aviation, energy, electrical engineering, agriculture, digital technologies, mining, processing of critical mineral resources, education, and innovation. However, special attention was paid to cooperation in the field of security, including the fight against terrorism, extremism, and illegal migration.

The "C5+1" format, which unites the USA and the countries of Central Asia, was mentioned in the discussion. The countries involved in this initiative are Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan, plus the United States as the "+1". Regarding the relationship between Central Asia and Russia in this context, Central Asian countries have a complex and multifaceted relationship with Russia, balancing cooperation and economic ties with a growing engagement with other global powers like the US through initiatives such as "C5+1".

Tashkent emphasized its readiness for further strengthening of the dialogue. The USA is seeking to strengthen its presence in the region, while Russia appears to be losing its positions and influence. Notably, no new focus areas for cooperation were introduced in this paragraph, nor were there any specific mentions of future visits or invitations.

Nonetheless, President Mirziyoyev extended an invitation to President Trump for an official visit to Uzbekistan. The conversation marked a significant step forward in the relationship between the two nations, and both parties expressed their commitment to continuing the dialogue and strengthening their cooperation in the days ahead.