Minister of Foreign Affairs Oana Toiu and her Uzbek counterpart, Bakhtiyor Saidov, exchanged congratulatory letters on Monday on the occasion of the 30th anniversary of the establishment of bilateral diplomatic relations.
According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MAE), the Romanian Foreign Minister emphasised in her message that over the past 30 years, bilateral relations have developed steadily both politically and diplomatically, as well as at sectoral level.
She also highlighted the dynamic cooperation in various fields, reflecting the growing interest in expanding and deepening practical collaboration and people-to-people contacts.
Romania and Uzbekistan are partners in initiatives aimed at strengthening connectivity between Central Asia and Europe through the Caspian and Black Seas, the Foreign Ministry noted.
Oana Toiu welcomed the ongoing process of reform and modernisation in Uzbekistan, stressing that it will open up new opportunities for strengthening bilateral cooperation.
„She assured Romania’s support for the comprehensive modernisation process by providing expertise in institutional reform. She also reiterated Romania’s firm support for Uzbekistan’s independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity, as well as for the development of that country’s relations with the European Union,” reads the MAE press release.
The Romanian Foreign Minister welcomed the forthcoming signing of the new Enhanced Partnership and Cooperation Agreement between the European Union and Uzbekistan and expressed confidence that it would contribute to more complex, sustainable and productive exchanges, including between Romania and Uzbekistan.
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Romania was among the first countries to recognise Uzbekistan’s independence, shortly after its proclamation (on 20 December 1991), with diplomatic relations established on 6 October 1995.
Romanian-Uzbek relations are currently experiencing dynamic developments in multiple areas. Romanian companies have shown increasing interest in economic opportunities in Uzbekistan, and bilateral trade is on the rise. On 1 June 2024, direct and transit road transport between Romania and Uzbekistan was liberalised, thus removing a significant barrier in bilateral trade relations, the Foreign Ministry added. AGERPRES
