Issues discussed included bilateral relations, strengthening security in Central Asia, the fight against terrorism, extremism and drug smuggling.

President Islam Karimov and President Vladimir Putin noted that Uzbek-Russian relations are based on mutual trust and partnership. There is agreement on questions of mutual cooperation. The presidents also agree on many international problems.

Last year President Islam Karimov visited Moscow and St Petersburg, and President Putin ? Samarkand. Regular meetings are an important factor in developing cooperation. Relations are broadening in international organizations. We are reliable partners in the CIS and the SCO. The leaders discussed raising the effectiveness of the activity of the SCO.

President Putin's re-election show there is stability in Russia and trust in his policies, said President Islam Karimov. Russia condemned the terrorist acts in Uzbekistan and proposes all round help. Uzbekistan attaches great significance to the relation of Russia to events in Central Asia.

The presidents said it is necessary to fight against terrorism in all its manifestations. This requires close cooperation. Telegrams, condolences, and press conferences all show that we are not alone in the fight against terrorism, said President Islam Karimov.

The talks achieved agreement on forming a strategic partnership. The presidents analyzed the results of trade-economic ties and discussed further development of cooperation here. Last year trade turnover increased 25.8% to $1.1491b. There are possibilities to increase this. At the presidents' meeting last year in Samarkand, the interstate commission on economic cooperation was asked to work out measures for this. Since then, a delegation headed by the chairman of the higher metallurgical council and the oil and gas industry union of Russia, Yuri Shafranik, visited.

Energy is important in our relations. Uzbekneftegaz and Gazprom signed a strategic partnership agreement. Our exports of gas to Russia will reach 10b cu m in 2006. This autumn, Gazprom should complete a joint project worth $1.4b on a gas project in Ustiurt. Lukoil and Uzbekneftegaz are working out a contract on investment worth $996m.

The Alfa-Eko group has shown interest in taking part in investment projects worth $100m. Bim Bil Dann food products intends to buy 77% of the shares of Toshkentsut and invest $20m. Promspetsimpeks is negotiating purchase of the control packet of shares in Foton.

The Forum of culture and art of Uzbekistan in Moscow is cooperating in the humanitarian sphere. There is an office in Tashkent of the Russian center of international and cultural cooperation under the Russian Federation (Roszarubezhtsentr). There are contacts between educational institutions in medicine.

President Islam Karimov met with the Russian foreign minister, Sergei Lavrov. President Islam Karimov also met with the chairman of the Union of industrialists of Russia, Arkadi Volski. The fruitfulness of the visit was underlined. The president of Luoil, Vagit Alekperov, and the chairman of the Russian trade-industry chamber, Evgenii Primakov, were present.

President Islam Karimov also met with the general director of ITAR-TASS, Vitali Ignatenko. They discussed exchange of information and cooperation in information technology.

Each meeting of the presidents gives a new impulse to developing relations in all spheres. This visit was no exception.