President Mirziyoyev receives credentials of new ambassadors from seven countries

During the event, the President accepted the letters of credence from Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Paraskevi Tzeveleki of Greece, Siti Ruhaini Dzuhayatin of Indonesia, Ģirts Jaunzems of Latvia, Walid Fouque of France, Alexei Yerkhov of Russia, Kenji Hirata of Japan, and Nasriddin Ismatullo of Tajikistan.

Mirziyoyev congratulated the heads of diplomatic missions as they commenced their assignments in Uzbekistan, stressing the growing importance of diplomacy amid escalating global geopolitical and economic challenges.

“You have already spent several months in our country and have seen with your own eyes how rapidly Uzbekistan is developing and transforming into one of the centers of global diplomacy,” the president said.

He highlighted key international events hosted by Uzbekistan this year, including the Tashkent International Investment Forum, the meeting of the Foreign Investors Council, the 150th anniversary assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union, the first Central Asia – EU Summit, the International Climate Forum, the historic UNESCO General Conference session, and the Central Asia leaders’ summit. Thirteen UN General Assembly resolutions initiated by Uzbekistan have also been adopted in recent years.

Mirziyoyev noted that Uzbekistan rose 19 positions this year in the Sustainable Development Goals Index and ranked among the top five countries with the best ten-year progress. Over the past eight years, Uzbekistan’s economy has more than doubled, while poverty has fallen from 35 percent to 6.6 percent.

He also underscored the results of the openness policy, noting the visa-free regime for nearly 100 countries, growing export geography, a historic $66 billion in foreign trade turnover, and $39 billion in foreign investment attracted this year.

The President expressed special gratitude to the governments of the represented countries for supporting Uzbekistan’s accession to the World Trade Organization.

Bilateral relations with each country

Addressing Ambassador Tzeveleki of Greece, Mirziyoyev described Greece as a traditional and promising partner in the European Union. Bilateral political consultations were successfully held this year, and Greece opened its embassy in Tashkent in April. Mutual trade has increased fivefold since early 2024, and cooperation opportunities in pharmaceuticals, light and food industries, energy, IT, and transport were emphasized.

Speaking with the Indonesian ambassador, the president underlined the long-standing historical, religious, and cultural ties between the peoples of both countries. Bilateral trade has grown by 60 percent since the beginning of the year, and joint ventures are operating in chemicals, agriculture, telecommunications, and tourism. Direct flights between the two countries will be launched in December.

Relations with Latvia were also reviewed. The president noted positive momentum in political and economic ties and expanding business contacts. Over the past five years, Uzbekistan’s exports to Latvia and the number of joint enterprises have tripled. Latvia’s Investment and Development Agency operates an office in Uzbekistan, and cultural days and an academic forum were recently held in Riga. Agreements on migration cooperation and increased flights are expected to further deepen ties.

Turning to France, Mirziyoyev stated that political dialogue has elevated bilateral relations to a strategic partnership. The first meeting of the Strategic Planning Group took place last month, and during the President’s historic visit to Paris in March, joint projects worth $10 billion were agreed. Mutual trade has exceeded $1.2 billion this year. A cooperation program with the French Development Agency through 2030 was approved, and a joint Uzbek–French university has opened.

On relations with Russia, the president reaffirmed the country’s status as a long-standing strategic partner and ally. Bilateral trade approached $12 billion last year, and more than 3,000 Russian-capital enterprises operate in Uzbekistan. Since early 2024, $4 billion in investments have been utilized, and branches of 15 Russian universities are active in the country. This year, the two sides held meetings of the Inter-Parliamentary Commission, the INNOPROM industrial exhibition, the Council of Regional Heads, political consultations, a rectors’ forum, and cultural events.

Regarding Japan, Mirziyoyev emphasized the priority of expanding the strategic partnership. Offices of JICA, JETRO, and Nagoya University operate in Uzbekistan, and joint projects in telecommunications, energy, healthcare, infrastructure, education, and tourism worth $8 billion are being implemented. The first Strategic Dialogue meeting was held in August, and an academic forum took place in Samarkand last month. Uzbekistan’s National Day was successfully marked at Expo 2025 Osaka, and high-level negotiations scheduled in Tokyo next month are expected to boost cooperation further.

Relations with Tajikistan, the president noted, have reached the level of strategic partnership and alliance in recent years. Border issues have been fully resolved, transport links restored, and cooperation among parliaments, governments, regions, and business circles has intensified. Mutual trade has increased more than fivefold to nearly $1 billion. Major joint projects include the planned Oibek – Fotekhobod free-trade border zone and the Andarkhan trade and logistics center. Both countries see strong potential in industry, transport, geology, energy, agriculture, water management, tourism, education, and culture.

At the conclusion of the ceremony, President Mirziyoyev wished the new ambassadors success in their mission and encouraged them to use all available opportunities to enhance cooperation, including by engaging closely with regional authorities and the private sector.

The diplomats, in turn, expressed gratitude for the warm reception and favorable conditions provided for their work, affirming their readiness to use their professional experience to further deepen multifaceted cooperation with Uzbekistan.