1. At the invitation of His Excellency Islam Karimov, President of the Republic of Uzbekistan, Prime Minister of Malaysia, Honourable Dato’ Seri Abdullah bin Haji Ahmad Badawi, made an official visit to the Republic of Uzbekistan from 16-19 November 2008.

2. Both sides noted the successful State Visit of His Excellency Islam Karimov, President of the Republic of Uzbekistan to Malaysia from 2-4 October 2005. The visit among the others saw both countries taking another significant step forward to strengthen bilateral ties with the signing of a bilateral agreement and three Memoranda of Understanding which focused on economy, trade, and security.

3. Both countries took the opportunity to undertake comprehensive consultations on the progress and prospects of bilateral relations besides various regional and international issues of common concern.

4. The two countries noted with satisfaction, the rapid development of bilateral relations and were determined to expand the existing close links on the basis of respect for national sovereignty, territorial integrity and non-interference in internal affairs.

5. Both countries had viewed the bilateral consultations between their senior Foreign Ministry officials as an effective mechanism to promote bilateral ties.

6. Acknowledging the existing challenges to regional peace and security, both countries reaffirmed their commitment to promoting close collaboration to effectively address the problems of international terrorism and religious extremism, trafficking in illicit drugs, transnational organized crime, nuclear proliferation and the arms race. Both sides saw the MoU on legal cooperation concluded in August 2008 as an important framework to augment their initiatives to effectively deal with these issues.

7. Towards developing the full potentials of economic cooperation and in the spirit of South-South cooperation, both countries saw the importance of pursuing vigorously the following new initiatives:

(a) Encouraging private sectors of both sides to participate in trade and investment activities in both countries;

(b) Further encouraging Malaysian business structures to establish production plants either individually or on joint venture basis, with their Uzbekistan counterparts, to manufacturing electrical and electronic products and textile;

(c) Developing close linkages in the area of banking and finance; and

(d) Promoting meaningful participation of Malaysian ICT business groups in the development of information and communication technology (ICT) sector in Uzbekistan.

8. Reaffirming their interest to further strengthen the existing close linkages in energy and mineral resource development, both countries agreed to continue giving firm focus to enhancing cooperation in these areas through promoting joint exploration and joint development of new oil and gas deposits as well as petrochemical production.

9. Uzbekistan reiterated its interest to continue working closely with Malaysia’s National Oil Corporation (PETRONAS) in both the upstream and downstream activities in developing its oil and gas sector.

10. Both countries continue to recognize the need to promote technical cooperation in various fields. In this connection, Uzbekistan appreciated Malaysia’s continuing assistance extended under the Malaysian Technical Cooperation Programme (MTCP).

11. Both countries agreed to further develop cooperation and collaboration in the fields of science and technology, human capital development, culture, sports and tourism. It was further agreed for exchange programmes between institutions of higher learning and research institutes to be strengthened to further promote people to people contacts and understanding.

12. Three Memorandums of Understanding (MoU) and Protocol have been signed between both countries during the visit. They were relating to cooperation in science and technology, higher education and the development of the oil and gas industry in Uzbekistan.

13. The Prime Minister of Malaysia, Hon. Dato’ Seri Abdullah Hj. Ahmad Badawi extended invitations to His Excellency Islam Karimov, President of the Republic of Uzbekistan and the Prime Minister of Uzbekistan to undertake State and official visits to Malaysia respectively. His Excellency President Islam Karimov and the Prime Minister of Uzbekistan warmly welcomed the invitations.

14. The Prime Minister of Malaysia, Hon. Dato’ Seri Abdullah Hj. Ahmad Badawi expressed gratitude and appreciation to H.E. Islam Karimov, President of the Republic of Uzbekistan and the government and the people of the Republic of Uzbekistan for the warm welcome and generous hospitality accorded to him and members of delegation.

Tashkent, Uzbekistan
17 November 2008