Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) — During the official visit of the Karelia delegation to Uzbekistan, a memorandum of understanding was signed between the Government of the Republic of Karelia and the Andijan Region.

The signing took place in the presence of Karelia’s head, Artur Parfenchikov, who emphasized the importance of this step for further developing cooperation between the regions.

The memorandum was signed by Dmitry Rodionov, Deputy Prime Minister of the Karelia Government, and Ilkhomjon Sabirov, Deputy Khokim of the Andijan Region. The document aims to establish mutually beneficial ties in the areas of industrial production, education, culture, and tourism.

The parties plan to actively develop cooperation in areas of mutual interest and stimulate interaction between the business communities and organizations registered in both countries. This will include conducting consultations, seminars, conferences, and other joint events.

Parfenchikov highlighted that Karelia and Uzbekistan already have close partnership relations, noting that by the end of 2023, the volume of external trade with Uzbekistan exceeded US$5 million. He also pointed out that since 2021, Karelia has shifted towards friendly and neutral countries, including Uzbekistan, China, Türkiye, Belarus, and Kazakhstan, which now account for over 70% of the republic’s foreign trade turnover.

The head of Karelia expressed confidence that interregional ties will promote the development of economic, cultural, and educational contacts between the peoples of the two countries.