Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) -- A delegation from Mongolia these days is conducting active negotiations on cooperation with representatives of Uzbekistan. It is planned to open an embassy of Mongolia in our country. As part of the visit, the Mongolian delegation headed by the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Mongolia Batmunkh Battsetseg met today with the Minister of Agriculture of Uzbekistan Aziz Voitov. The parties discussed issues of cooperation in the field of agriculture between the two countries.

Mongolia considers Uzbekistan as an important country for expanding its economic and trade presence in the Central Asian region. It is worth noting that in 2022 the trade turnover of agricultural and food products with Mongolia amounted to US$5.5 million. At the talks, the parties expressed their readiness to cooperate and strengthen relations in the field of agriculture. So, we decided to establish the export of meat, meat products and leather, as well as to strengthen the exchange of experience on the development of intensive orchards and greenhouses. The parties also reached an agreement to hold the 1st meeting of the Uzbek-Mongolian Intergovernmental Commission in the first half of 2023 in Tashkent.

Batmunkh Battsetseg, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Mongolia:

- Diplomatic relations between Uzbekistan and Mongolia are already more than ten years old, and we believe that the potential for cooperation between our states should be strengthened. The political position of Mongolia is to build pragmatic relations with the countries of Central Asia, especially with Uzbekistan. Our countries do not have access to the oceans, the Mongolian side is interested in the geographical position of Uzbekistan as a transit hub. For our part, we propose to pay attention to meat products, leather products and their export to Uzbekistan. Also, since last year, quarantine zones have been operating in our country, where the necessary conditions for processing and storing products have been created. We would like to cooperate with Uzbekistan on food security issues as well. Establishing relations between Uzbekistan and Mongolia is going in a positive way.

As you know, there are already agreements on opening a Mongolian embassy in Tashkent. We hope that the issues of direct flights between our countries will soon be resolved, which, of course, will have a beneficial effect on the development of tourism, as well as on the establishment of our trade and economic relations.

Uzbekistan also attaches particular importance to strengthening and building up practical mutually beneficial cooperation with Mongolia. In his speech, the Minister of Agriculture of Uzbekistan Aziz Voitov noted:

— I think that we need to identify complementary sectors in science and technology. For example, the Uzbek side is ready to share its experience in creating intensive gardens and greenhouses, and is also interested in the experience of Mongolia in animal husbandry and veterinary medicine. We also give preference to the import of halal-labeled meat products. Mongolia has a stable demand for fruits and vegetables from Uzbekistan. In addition, the Uzbek side is ready to supply nuts, confectionery, alcohol and tobacco products. We believe that we should also draw up a list of enterprises interested in mutual supplies, as well as establish direct contacts between them. It is impossible to ignore the opening prospects in the tourism industry. Creating the image of Mongolia in Uzbekistan requires us to organize events for the tourism sector of both countries.

Aziz Voitov also said that on 16-18 March 2023, a working group from Uzbekistan will be sent to Mongolia, which will include entrepreneurs. They will be able to work out the issues of supply and cooperation with Mongolian producers on the spot, as well as consider the possibility of implementing joint projects in the field of animal husbandry. During the visit, the delegation will be able to assess the potential for joint breeding of livestock in Mongolia with subsequent export to Uzbekistan for processing at meat processing plants.

Tileukhany Aubakir, Deputy of the State Great Khurali of Mongolia:

— Today we discussed the export of meat, meat products and leather. There are good export opportunities in Mongolia - up to 20 million tons of meat, and in Uzbekistan there is a great demand for meat and meat products. It is worth noting that in Mongolia there is an opportunity to produce halal meat. I believe that your country has a great potential for exports in the agricultural sector. We are ready to develop economic relations in terms of export and import between our countries.

At the end of the meeting, the parties exchanged memorable souvenirs, and also agreed that fruitful work is to be carried out in the agro-industrial sector in all areas, which will become a good basis for the upcoming meeting of the heads of state at the next SCO summit, which will be held in June this year in India.