TASHKENT (TCA) — The United States and Uzbekistan have taken great strides in building a wide and multi-faceted relationship built upon mutual interests and respect, U.S. Ambassador to Uzbekistan Pamela Spratlen said in an interview with the Jahon information agency on the occasion of 25 years of diplomatic relations between the U.S. and Uzbekistan, the U.S. Embassy in Tashkent said.
“The signing of the Strategic Partnership Declaration fifteen years ago helped to enable the level of cooperation that we see today in the political, economic, military, and humanitarian spheres. The fruits of this agreement and our shared commitment to building bilateral relations can be seen in the recent high level visits from U.S. officials, the launch of new programs, and the open dialogue maintained between our countries. Working together with the Government of Uzbekistan, we look for new fields of joint activity that reflects tomorrow’s needs,” the Ambassador said.
Asked about a huge unused potential of cooperation in the economic sphere, Ambassador Spratlen said that there remains room to expand bilateral commercial ties. “We are committed to continuing to work with Uzbekistan to realize its great potential for economic growth. Uzbekistan’s geographic position at the heart of Central Asia provides an excellent platform for commerce and as home to half the population of Central Asia, it is a potential economic powerhouse.”
There are many American companies that have enjoyed success selling to or investing in Uzbekistan, the Ambassador said, adding that American companies continue to be interested in Uzbekistan’s economic potential and look to a transparent and welcoming business environment in order to become more active in Uzbekistan.
Speaking about the cultural and humanitarian ties between the U.S. and Uzbekistan, Ambassador Spratlen said that “We love to share U.S. music and culture with the people of Uzbekistan. U.S. artists and performers consistently share how much they value their experiences in Uzbekistan, noting the warmth of the people, the talent of the local students and musicians with whom they interact.”
Another area for continued engagement is English language learning, the Ambassador said. “We have had the opportunity to support the Government of Uzbekistan’s English language education initiatives with help from U.S. teachers and study materials.”
“There is great potential to expand both the breadth and depth of our activities related to cultural exchange and education, and I look forward to doing so through continued collaboration with our partners in the Government of Uzbekistan,” Ambassador Spratlen concluded.
