US, Uzbekistan deepen ties with $12 bn deals

Washington, Oct 19 (SocialNews.XYZ) The United States and Uzbekistan have agreed to deepen their strategic partnership, with business and investment agreements valued at $12 billion and expanded cooperation in civil nuclear technology, space exploration and regional security emerging from Secretary of State Marco Rubio's visit to the Central Asian nation.

Uzbekistan President Shavkat Mirziyoyev announced the value of the agreements during his meeting with Rubio in Samarkand on Monday, describing the growing economic relationship as an important achievement for both countries.

"By following the current meeting of the council, there were agreements achieved worth of $12 billion U.S. dollars and for us, it’s a great achievement," Mirziyoyev said.

The Uzbek leader was referring to the US-Uzbekistan Business and Investment Council, which has emerged as a mechanism for promoting commercial projects between the two countries.

The announced figure represents agreements rather than money already invested or spent. The transcript did not provide a breakdown of the projects or their implementation schedules.

Mirziyoyev said the two governments had also launched a dialogue aimed at strengthening their strategic partnership.

The Secretary of State travelled to Samarkand for meetings with the foreign ministers of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan under the C5+1 diplomatic framework.

The talks focused on trade, investment, regional connectivity and security cooperation.

Rubio said Washington wanted to pursue economic opportunities alongside its traditional diplomatic and security responsibilities.

"The United States wants to be a strong partner in Central Asia," he said during remarks at Samarkand's historic Registan Square.

He said nearly 300 American businesses were represented in the delegation, reflecting growing commercial interest in the region.

The two countries also advanced cooperation in peaceful space exploration, with Uzbekistan formally joining the Artemis Accords during Rubio's visit.

Uzbek Foreign Minister Bakhtiyor Saidov signed the agreement in Rubio's presence, making Uzbekistan the 77th country to join the US-led framework.

The accords establish principles for responsible and peaceful civil space activities, including transparency, cooperation and the sustainable use of space resources.

In a separate meeting with Saidov, Rubio welcomed Uzbekistan's interest in American civil nuclear technology and discussed opportunities for cooperation in the country's emerging space sector.

The two sides also agreed to deepen cooperation on critical minerals, an increasingly important area of international economic and strategic competition.

Critical minerals are essential for advanced manufacturing, energy technologies, electronics and defence-related industries.

The discussions reflected Washington's interest in developing additional commercial partnerships and diversifying supply chains for strategically important materials.

Mirziyoyev praised the renewed American engagement with Central Asia and expressed support for strengthening the sovereignty and independence of countries in the region.

He also welcomed the expansion of the C5+1 framework, which brings together the United States and the five Central Asian republics.

The C5+1 platform was established in 2015 to facilitate cooperation on regional security, economic development, energy and environmental challenges.

Central Asia occupies an important position between Russia, China, South Asia and the Middle East. Its transport corridors, energy resources and mineral deposits have attracted growing international interest, including from India, which has pursued stronger connectivity and economic engagement with the region.

Source: IANS