ISLAMABAD, JAN 22 (DNA) – Ambassador of Uzbekistan Furqat Sidikov has said media plays an important role in bringing people closer therefore his embassy has been focussing on enhanced relations with the representatives of mass media of Pakistan.

He said both Uzbekistan and Pakistan enjoys excellent relations and bilateral cooperation has increased manifold in various areas and media was among the key factors that have brought both nations even closer.

The Uzbek ambassador expressed these views at a luncheon meeting with the members of media, at the embassy of Uzbekistan on Monday. The ambassador said his mission will continue hosting such interactive sessions even in the coming days.

He welcomed suggestions from media people regarding cooperation among the media houses of Pakistan and Uzbekistan adding his embassy would welcome and encourage any proposals seeking strengthening of bilateral cooperation.

He welcomed suggestions from media people regarding cooperation among the media houses of Pakistan and Uzbekistan adding his embassy would welcome and encourage any proposals seeking strengthening of

The ambassador said Uzbekistan was developing at  a fast speed adding his country was one of the main political and trade partners of Pakistan in Central Asia. The year 2018, he said, was very significant in bilateral relations especially in the field of trade and economy.

He added, in 2018 475 bilateral meetings were held with representatives of leading Pakistani companies besides organsing 30 visits of Pakistani companies to Uzbekistan for trade and investment matters.

Additionally, 17 bilateral visits were made between Uzbekistan and Pakistan including at the level of foreign ministers, military establishment, secretary of security council, ministries of trade, investment and others.

This event was a part of strengthening overall Uzbek-Pakistan cultural and economical interaction that we can observe over the last two years.

The Embassy expressed to the representatives of Pakistan media its gratitude for active cooperation on dissemination objective information about continuously developing bilateral relations between two countries as well as about ongoing in Uzbekistan socio-economic and democratic reforms.

It was mentioned that, in collaboration with presented Pakistani guests,

in 2018 were published around 180 articles in print and electronic media. They were devoted to socio-economic, touristic and cultural potential of Uzbekistan, including to bilateral events occurred between our brotherly countries.

Moreover, 23 special TV reports about Uzbekistan, publication of 5 special editions of magazines, as well as 11 video interviews were organized in Pakistani leading medias.

In reaching such significant results, the aid of Embassy’s friends from Pakistani media, is invaluable.

In they turn, guests highly evaluated developing Uzbek-Pakistan economic partnership and strengthening cultural ties.

The lunch was held in open and friendly environment and it could help us to discuss new directions of mutually beneficial cooperation aimed at to further strengthening Uzbek-Pakistan friendship. =DNA

NOTE: Diplomatic News Agency (DNA) will release full text of ambassador’s speech in due course.