The UAE and Uzbekistan yesterday discussed ways to bridge the economic gap between nations and help strengthen global peace and security.

The discussion was part of wide-ranging talks focussing on political and economic issues held between His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, and Islam Karimov, President of Uzbekistan.

During the talks in Tashkent, the two leaders stressed the need to extend bilateral cooperation to key areas such as trade, economy and exchange of expertise, WAM reported.

Shaikh Mohammad arrived in Tashkent yesterday morning, accompanied by a delegation of ministers, officials and journalists, and was welcomed by Uzbek Prime Minister Shavkat Mirziyayev.

Shaikh Mohammad said the visit falls within the framework of his tours of friendly nations to get first-hand experience of their potentials and assess areas in which the UAE could offer assistance.