1.         The President of the Republic of Uzbekistan His Excellency Islam Karimov is on a State Visit to Singapore from 24-26 January 2007 at the invitation of the President of the Republic of Singapore S.R.Nathan.  During his visit, President Islam Karimov met with President S R Nathan, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, and Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew.  

2.         The State Visit of President Islam Karimov is the first since Singapore and Uzbekistan established diplomatic relations on 8 April 1997.  This visit marks the tenth anniversary of diplomatic relations, and is significant in consolidating the warm ties and cooperation between the two countries. 

3.         During their meetings, the leaders of the two countries exchanged views on a broad range of bilateral, regional and international issues of mutual concern.  Both sides agreed to further develop bilateral cooperation on the principles of respect of sovereignty, territorial integrity and non-interference into each other’s internal affairs, in accordance with the respective national and international law.

4.         Both sides shared similar views on such regional and international threats and challenges as international terrorism, drug trafficking, organised transnational crimes, and nuclear nonproliferation. Both sides also agreed that close bilateral cooperation in countering these threats is an important factor for the strengthening of regional security. In this regard, both sides expressed their intention to cooperate on the basis of the relevant international law and domestic legislation in the fields of combating terrorism, organized crimes, and crimes in drugs and contraband.

5.         Both sides agreed that international terrorism in all its forms was one of the most serious threats to peace and security.  They condemned all acts of terror, and stressed their determination to combat terrorism on a long-term basis.

6.         Both countries stressed that the convergence of views within regional and international organizations such as the United Nations, the International Atomic Energy Agency, the Asian Development Bank and others, is an important factor for securing international peace, stability and socio-economic development.

7.         The Uzbek side highly appreciated the support shown by Singapore of the efforts of the Republic of Uzbekistan and its neighboring countries to create a Nuclear Weapons Free Zone in Central Asia and in turn, acknowledged the important role played by Singapore in the creation of the Nuclear Weapons Free Zone in Southeast Asia.

8.         The Republic of Singapore expressed its appreciation for the Republic of Uzbekistan’s interest in establishing cooperation with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) as a Sectoral Partner, and would convey this to the ASEAN member countries.

9.         An Agreement on Basic Directions of Economic and Humanitarian Cooperation between the Government of the Republic of Uzbekistan and the Government of the Republic of Singapore was signed by President Islam Karimov and Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong.   This agreement laid a broad basis for long term mutually beneficial cooperation and increased interaction.

10.       Both sides agreed to strengthen political dialogue on issues of mutual concern.  To this end, a Memorandum of Understanding between the Ministries of Foreign Affairs of Uzbekistan and Singapore on Bilateral Consultations was signed. 

11.       The visit of President Islam Karimov furthered bilateral cooperation in a number of other areas. Uzbekistan and Singapore concluded an Intergovernmental Agreement for Air Services, a Cooperation Agreement between the Standards, Productivity and Innovation Board of Singapore and the Agency for Standardisation, Metrology and Certification of Uzbekistan, and a Memorandum of Understanding between the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of the Republic of Uzbekistan and the Singapore Business Federation.  In addition, Singapore and Uzbekistan launched negotiations for an Avoidance of Double Taxation Agreement during the visit of President Islam Karimov to promote business partnership and private investment.

12.       A business forum bringing together representatives of the business community of Singapore and Uzbekistan was organised as part of the State Visit.  It served to establish contacts between entrepreneurs of the two countries, and promote economic ties as a whole.  A trade delegation accompanying President Islam Karimov also met with business leaders in Singapore to showcase the opportunities in Uzbekistan.

13.       The leadership of both sides also emphasised the importance of the mutual sharing of experiences in the economic, cultural, scientific and technological fields. Singapore welcomed Uzbekistan’s continued participation in the Singapore Cooperation Programme.

14.       President Islam Karimov announced that the Republic of Uzbekistan has decided to open an Embassy in Singapore.  Singapore welcomed Uzbekistan’s decision as another positive development in bilateral relations.  Both sides agreed that the Embassy would lend a powerful impetus to political, economic, scientific, cultural and human resource cooperation between the two countries.

15.       President Islam Karimov expressed his gratitude to the people and the government of the Republic of Singapore for the hospitality he received during his visit, and invited President S R Nathan and Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong of the Republic of Singapore to visit the Republic of Uzbekistan.  President Nathan and Prime Minister Lee expressed their gratitude to President Islam Karimov for his invitation.

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25 JANUARY 2007