Uzbekistan and Italy strengthen the strategic partnership
At the invitation of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev, on May 28 Prime Minister of the Italian Republic Giorgia Meloni arrived in our country with an official visit.
At the Samarkand international airport the Prime Minister was greeted by the Head of our state.
In honor of the distinguished guest the state flags of the two countries were raised and an honor guard was lined up.
The main events of the visit will take place on May 29.
In accordance with the program it’s envisioned to hold summit talks and a range of other bilateral events.
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Upon her arrival in our country on an official visit, Prime Minister of the Italian Republic Giorgia Meloni accompanied by the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev visited Registan architectural ensemble.
The world-famous Registan Square, included in the UNESCO World Heritage List, is the main visiting card of our country, reflecting the creative potential of the great ancestors. The Mirzo Ulughbek, Sherdor and Tillakori madrassahs included in the ensemble leave a deep impression on the guests of our country with their scale, rich history and unique architecture.
The distinguished guest was thoroughly briefed on the historical facts of construction of this pearl of oriental architecture, peculiarities of architectural solutions and decorations, landmark events and personalities associated with this place, as well as the cultural heritage of Uzbek people.
Further, the leaders visited the historical and ethnographic park “Eternal City” in the international tourist center “Silk Road Samarkand”. Expositions revealing the rich cultural heritage of our people, craftsmanship and applied arts were viewed. A cultural program of performances by choreographic groups was presented.
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A solemn ceremony of official meeting of the Prime Minister of the Italian Republic Giorgia Meloni who is paying an official visit to our country, was held in the city of Samarkand.
A guard of honor was lined up on the square in front of the Congress Center.
President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev warmly welcomed the distinguished guest and invited her to the pedestal.
A military band played the anthems of the two countries. The leaders went around the guard of honor and greeted members of official delegations.
Following this, the high-level talks began.
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President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev and Prime Minister of the Italian Republic Giorgia Meloni held talks in the format of “tete-a-tete” and with the participation of official delegations in the Congress Center of Samarkand city.
The issues of further development of bilateral relations of strategic partnership and expansion of multifaceted cooperation were discussed.
The consistent implementation of the agreements reached during the summit meetings in Rome in June 2023 was noted with satisfaction.
The trade turnover has grown almost 3 times in recent years, including by expanding the range of mutual supplies.
The number of joint ventures and projects has doubled. Mutually beneficial cooperation has been established with leading Italian companies in metallurgy, electrical engineering, agriculture, livestock breeding, tourism and other sectors.
The Uzbek delegation took an active part in the Venice Biennale, and an exhibition was held in Florence. Days of Culture of Uzbekistan were held in Rome and Viareggio last December.
Branches of the Universities of Turin and Pisa are successfully operating in our country. The second Forum of Rectors was fruitfully held in April.
The sides advocated the continuation of active political exchange.
Active interaction with European Union institutions will be maintained, considering the fruitful summit held in Samarkand in April this year. The importance of holding the summit “Central Asia-Italy” with a focus on practical results was emphasized.
An agreement was reached on expanding the programs of technical cooperation to the business in trade sector. This involves training Uzbek exporters to access the EU market, creating a joint Certification center in Tashkent, accelerating adoption of the Conformity assessment agreement.
The Head of our state proposed to launch a Program of technological partnership with the leading companies of Italy.
Priorities include innovative projects of private business, deep processing of critical minerals and agricultural raw materials, production of component bases for the automotive industry, products with a high conversion rate in the electrical engineering, energy, food, pharmaceutical, construction industries, creation of design centers for textile, leather, and furniture industries.
Such projects can be located in a designated industrial park to be created in Tashkent region under the management of a European operator.
To launch new project support mechanisms, the issue of creating a joint investment fund will be considered, as well as the involvement of the Italian state agencies “SACE” and “SIMEST”.
Special attention was paid to the development of full-scale scientific and technological cooperation in agriculture on the basis of a comprehensive “road map”. The prospects for cooperation in the cultivation of grapes, saffron olives, asparagus, creation of agro-laboratories, development of biotechnology and introduction of agricultural insurance were noted.
In order to promote new projects it was agreed to resume the work of the Intergovernmental Group and hold its meeting with a business forum.
Within the framework of expanding partnership relations between the regions of Uzbekistan and Italy, the importance of achieving practical results during the forthcoming visit of Lombardy Governor Attilio Fontana and the first forum of the regions was emphasized.
In the educational sphere, plans to launch in our country a branch of the University of Tuscia, double degree programs with the universities of Pisa, Trento, Roma Tre and Ca Foscari were supported in our country.
An agreement has been reached on holding Days of Italian Culture in Uzbekistan.
The signing of an agreement on labor migration aimed at organizing systemic cooperation in this sphere during the current visit was noted with satisfaction.
As a result of the meeting, it was decided to prepare a comprehensive road map for the implementation of the agreements reached.
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As a result of the talks held in the city of Samarkand President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev and Prime Minister of the Italian Republic Giorgia Meloni adopted a Joint Declaration on strengthening the relations of strategic partnership.
In their presence a ceremony for the exchange of signed bilateral agreements was held, in particular:
- on the promotion and mutual protection of investments;
- on cooperation in the field of critical raw materials;
- on cooperation in the field of migration and mobility;
- on cooperation in the fields of sustainable development and environmental protection, as well as cultural heritage,
- on cooperation with the Climate Fund and the Italian Confederation of Agriculture, cooperation in the field of green development with “Sogesid” and “Ansaldo” companies;
- on partnership with the universities of Tuscia, Pisa and Turin.
During the official visit, documents were also signed with the National Research Center of Italy, “SIMEST” and “Danieli” companies, the University of Perugia and others.
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Following the Uzbek-Italian summit talks, a solemn ceremony of assigning the name of the city of Rome to one of the streets of Samarkand was held at the International Congress Center.
President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev said that this decision was taken in view of deep historical and cultural ties, the current high level of relations of strategic partnership, as well as a sign of friendship and mutual respect between the peoples of Uzbekistan and Italy.
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President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev and Prime Minister of the Italian Republic Giorgia Meloni visited the exhibition “Uzbekistan and Italy: Dialogue of Civilizations” organized at the Congress Center in Samarkand.
The unique exposition is dedicated to deep historical, scientific and cultural ties between the two countries. It consists of 9 thematic sections, including “Trade Relations of the Roman and Kushan Empires”, “The First Renaissance”, “Marco Polo”, “Amir Temur”, “Mirzo Ulughbek” and “Mirzo Bobur”, “Italians in Uzbekistan in the 19th century”, “Contribution of Uzbeks to the Liberation of Italy in World War II”, “Uzbekistan and Italy: Preservation of Cultural Heritage”.
The guests were presented a unique reproduction of Afrosiab fresco “Reception of Ambassadors by the Ruler of Samarkand”, created in Florentine mosaic technique by the outstanding Italian master Mauro Pellizzoni.
The leaders also viewed various artifacts, graphic projections, manuscripts and miniatures, rare literary editions, sculptures, archival photographs and documents.
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President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev and Prime Minister of the Italian Republic Giorgia Meloni planted an oak tree on the alley of Congress center.
The ceremony became a symbol of friendship between the peoples of the two countries, firm commitment to further development and strengthening of Uzbek-Italian relations of strategic partnership.
The program of the distinguished guest continued with visiting attractions of Samarkand.
The Head of our state concluded the trip to Samarkand and returned to Tashkent.
Official web-site of the President of Uzbekistan
