On Monday, Mishustin arrived in Tashkent for a two-day visit. Before the start of the meeting of the joint commission at the level of the heads of government of Russia and Uzbekistan, the Prime Minister visited the memorial complex of Victory Park, which was opened four years ago.
The complex covers an area of 14.6 hectares and is divided into 12 symbolic zones, including the front line and the war railway station, through which millions of evacuees from enemy-occupied territories passed, as well as thousands of trains loaded with wounded.
The Ode to Fortitude monument was erected on the territory of the complex, dedicated to the memory of Zulfiya Zakirova, who lost five sons in the war, and to all the wives, husbands and children who died at the front. Official events with the laying of wreaths and flowers are traditionally held at the Ode to Fortitude monument. Mikhail Mishustin and his Uzbek colleague Abdulla Aripov laid flowers at the monument. The prime ministers also made a short visit to the Museum of Glory, which tells the story of the struggle of the Soviet people against the German invaders.
– I sincerely thank all my Uzbek friends for their amazing attitude to our common history. The Great Patriotic War claimed millions of lives of our compatriots, and the contribution of the Uzbek SSR to the overall victory is invaluable. We will never forget how Uzbekistan treated children and residents of the occupied territories of Russia. They were welcomed as family. Thank you for this caring attitude to our common history. “Eternal memory to the fallen soldiers,” Mishustin wrote in the Book of Honored Guests.
From the museum, the new products moved to the technology park, where 12 production facilities operate. Here, in particular, refrigerators, electronic gas meters, industrial air conditioners and refrigeration systems, as well as elevators, escalators, water pumps and much more are manufactured.
At the meeting of the joint commission at the level of heads of government of Russia and Uzbekistan, Mishustin noted that the countries are actively expanding economic and investment cooperation. Last year, trade turnover between Russia and Uzbekistan increased by 11.5% and exceeded 820 billion rubles. The Prime Minister recalled that in May this year, the presidents of the two countries set a goal of tripling this figure.
There are currently 3,000 registered companies in Uzbekistan with Russian participation. They operate in industries such as light, chemical and mining, metallurgy, automobile and aircraft manufacturing, pharmaceuticals and telecommunications.
– The energy partnership is successfully progressing, including supplies of natural gas, oil and oil products from Russia to Uzbekistan. We are implementing peaceful nuclear cooperation. Russian retailers and e-commerce companies are rapidly increasing their presence on the Uzbek market,” Mishustin noted.
One of the areas of cooperation between the two countries is tourism. At the end of last year, the mutual flow of tourists doubled, reaching 1.2 million people. And in the first half of this year it increased by another 12%.
– Adoption of coordinated measures in this area and holding the Year of Tourism of Uzbekistan in Russia will contribute to the increase in indicators. In addition, passenger train service between Moscow and Tashkent, suspended due to the pandemic, will be resumed from September 24, Mishustin said.
According to Abdulla Aripov, 700 thousand Russian tourists visited Uzbekistan last year.
– Every tenth tourist visiting Uzbekistan comes from Russia. Russia and I have 300 flights a week – no other country has this! – the Uzbek Prime Minister noted.
As a result of the negotiations, the delegations of the two countries signed documents on cooperation in the field of railway transport, retraining and advanced training of doctors, as well as the mutual transfer of information on drug labelling.
On Tuesday, Mikhail Mishustin will meet with Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev.
