Russian-Uzbekistani talks

On December 10, Russian President Vladimir Putin spoke with President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Islam Karimov in Tashkent. The Russian President said the talks focused, in part, on expanding foreign policy coordination activities, including as part of the SCO.

During the talks, Islam Karimov noted that Uzbekistan supports priorities of Russia's Presidency in the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation. These primarily include the strengthening of economic cooperation and coordination, and cooperation among the SCO member states in combating terrorism, separatism and extremism.

"We are ready for close cooperation in drafting the SCO Development Strategy towards 2025, on Russia's initiative which is to be adopted at the SCO Summit in Ufa in 2015," he added.