The statement of the Russian ministry said that the agreement between two bodies of Uzbekistan and Russia was signed in Moscow, Russia, on 11 April 2013.

Acting Minister of Natural Resources and Environment of the Russian Federation Nikolai Popov and Chairperson of the State Committee of the Republic of Uzbekistan on nature protection Nariman Umarov signed the agreement.

The Russian ministry said that the sides had worked on the document since 2009. Final version of the document was approved during bilateral consultation in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, in March 2013.

Nikolai Popov underlined that the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment of the Russian Federation and the State Committee of the Republic of Uzbekistan on nature protection carried out huge preparation works. He said that cooperation of the sides in nature protection received legal framework on all key issues.

The sides underlined great potential for development of relations between Uzbekistan and Russia in protection of nature and sustainable use of natural resources.

Nikolai Popov expressed his assurance that the agreement will allow to coordinate efforts of two states effectively in such areas as improving state control and supervision in environment protection and rational use of nature, economic regulation and economic tools in the area, as well as develop joint programmes and projects on nature protection and use of natural resources.