President of Uzbekistan Islam Karimov received US Ambassador to Tashkent Richard Norland at Oqsaroy residence on 22 July.

Welcoming the US diplomat, President Karimov said the meeting was a good opportunity to exchange views on the issues of mutual interest.

Working in Uzbekistan since November 2007, you have been able to closely familiarize yourself with the life in the country, Islam Karimov said.

"You have gathered materials about the real situation in Uzbekistan, which differs from those that the US receives from other sources," the President noted. "This is an important factor in development of cooperation based on mutual trust."

The sides considered a number of issues related to further strengthening of the bilateral relations.

Richard Norland expressed confidence that the cooperation between the two states would continue developing in the mutually beneficial manner.

In the US Ambassador’s view, currently it is important to strengthen mutual trust between the two countries, and develop cooperation in regional security, namely in issues related to reconstruction of Afghanistan.