Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) — On 4 July, on the sidelines of the Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO) Summit in the city of Khankendi, President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev met with Prime Minister of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan Shahbaz Sharif.

The two leaders held detailed discussions on priority areas for further expanding the Uzbek-Pakistani strategic partnership within the framework of the ongoing bilateral cooperation roadmap.

They expressed satisfaction with the steady development of political dialogue and the intensification of contacts at various levels. In recent years, mutual trade turnover has been growing, the number of joint ventures has increased, and the network of direct air connections has expanded. A significant element of trade and economic cooperation has been the opening of Uzbekistan’s trade houses in Karachi and Lahore.

Special attention was given to accelerating the implementation of joint projects and programs in trade, investment, transport, and logistics, particularly the advancement of the Trans-Afghan railway corridor, which holds strategic importance for the entire region.

The two heads of state emphasized the importance of holding the upcoming session of the Intergovernmental Commission and the business forum within the current year, noting that these events should give additional momentum to economic cooperation.

At the end of the meeting, the parties exchanged views on key international and regional issues and reaffirmed their commitment to continued close coordination aimed at strengthening stability and sustainable development in the region.