Mirziyoyev accepts credentials from new ambassadors of seven countries

On November 27, President Shavkat Mirziyoyev received letters of credence from newly appointed foreign ambassadors, the Press Service of the President reported.

The diplomats included Paraskevi Seveleki from Greece, Siti Ruhaini Juhayat from Indonesia, Girts Jaunzems from Latvia, Walid Fouc from France, Alexey Yerkhov from Russia, Kenji Hirata from Japan, and Nasriddin Ismatullo from Tajikistan. The President held discussions with each of them.

“Having spent several months in our country, you have personally witnessed how rapidly Uzbekistan is transforming and becoming one of the centers of global diplomacy,” Mirziyoyev said in his address to the ambassadors.

Addressing the Greek ambassador, he emphasized the importance of ensuring the success of the upcoming Intergovernmental Commission meeting and the Uzbekistan–Greece Business Forum in Tashkent.

On relations with Indonesia, the President highlighted the historical, religious, and cultural ties between the two peoples. Trade turnover has increased by 60% since the beginning of the year, and direct flights are scheduled to begin in December.

Regarding Latvia, Mirziyoyev noted steady development in political and economic relations, increased business engagement, agreements in migration, more frequent air travel, and effective use of economic cooperation mechanisms to strengthen people-to-people ties.

On France, he underlined that active political dialogue has elevated bilateral relations to the level of strategic partnership.

The President also described Russia as a long-standing strategic partner and ally. Bilateral trade reached nearly $12 billion last year, with over 3,000 enterprises operating in Uzbekistan with Russian investment. Since the beginning of the year, $4 billion in new investments have been realized. Fifteen Russian higher education institutions have branches in Uzbekistan.

Strategic partnership with Japan was emphasized as a priority in Uzbekistan’s foreign policy, with projects worth $8 billion underway in telecommunications, energy, healthcare, infrastructure, education, and tourism. High-level talks and business dialogues in Tokyo in December are expected to further accelerate bilateral cooperation.

Speaking with the Tajik ambassador, Mirziyoyev highlighted that Uzbekistan–Tajikistan relations have reached strategic partnership and alliance levels in recent years, with border issues fully resolved and transport links restored. Cooperation among parliaments, governments, regions, and business communities has strengthened, while trade has increased fivefold, approaching $1 billion. The establishment of the Oybek-Fotehobod Free Trade Zone and Andarkhon Trade-Logistics Center is expected to boost trade.

The President noted strong potential for joint projects in industry, transport, geology, energy, agriculture and water management, tourism, education, and culture.

At the conclusion of the ceremony, Mirziyoyev wished the new ambassadors success in their honorable duties and urged them to fully utilize available opportunities to strengthen bilateral cooperation, including active engagement with regional authorities and the private sector.