By Country / Russia
Russian Foreign Minister In Uzbekistan
October 21, 2005
Sergei Lavrov (file photo) (official site)
21 October 2005 -- Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov arrived in Tashkent today for talks with Uzbek President Islam Karimov and Foreign Minister Elyur Ganiev.
In his meeting with Ganiev, Lavrov said Russia and Uzbekistan are "united by the need to fight the threats of extremism and terrorism." Lavrov said the two countries have good prosects for developing bilateral and multilateral cooperation.
Ganiev expressed thanks for Russia's support, which he said has been developing "in a very positive manner."
Lavrov arrived from Ashgabat, where he and Turkmen President Saparmurat Niyazov discussed the formation of a joint naval force to patrol the Caspian Sea.
Lavrov said Moscow is "satisfied" with its cooperation with Ashgabat in settling issues on the Caspian, saying their views on the subject are becoming closer.
Russia, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan, and Iran all claim shares of the resource-rich Caspian, but have not agreed on a final settlement that would delineate their shares.
(ITAR-TASS/Uzbek TV)