The key facts

  • Rubio and Mirziyoyeva spoke on the Registan in Samarkand; representatives of nearly 300 American companies arrived.
  • Agreements worth billions of dollars are expected as a result of the visit.
  • Rubio called Uzbekistan the foundation of the region, noted GDP growth of ~8% per year and negotiations on direct Miami — Samarkand flights.

Joint appearance in Samarkand

Head of the Administration of the President of Uzbekistan Saida Mirziyoyeva and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio together came out to journalists on the Registan Square in Samarkand. Rubio began by thanking the Uzbek side for the warm welcome and hospitality.

Expectations from the visit

The Secretary of State noted that Samarkand has been an important crossroads of world trade for centuries, and said that representatives of nearly 300 American companies had arrived in the city. According to him, the signing of agreements worth billions of dollars is expected as a result of the visit. He emphasized the US interest in expanding trade and economic cooperation with Uzbekistan and other countries of the region.

Assessment of Uzbekistan's role

Rubio called Uzbekistan a key country and the 'cornerstone' of Central Asia, the most populous in the region. 'I had not been here before, I just arrived, but I have already read about the incredible economic development. GDP growth rates are almost 8% per year,' he said, adding that the US wants to support the continuation of this trend: if the next decade is the same as the previous one, the country will achieve very high figures.

Tourism and air travel

Rubio admitted that the number of tourists visiting Uzbekistan surprised him. He asked about direct flights from the US and said that negotiations are currently underway on opening direct air service with Miami. 'We are always inspired to see a country that, like its neighbors, emerged from the Soviet period and in such a short time reached its current level of development,' the Secretary of State noted.