President meets Islam Karimov

Victor Yushchenko has met with President Islam Karimov of Uzbekistan for talks in Minsk, according to the President`s press-office.

      The two leaders spoke about how to build closer energy and transportation ties between Ukraine and Uzbekistan within the Commonwealth of Independent States.

      They welcomed the development of trade between the two countries (the import-export rate has grown to USD 0.5 bln in the past nine months) and agreed to hold additional consultations to work out a bilateral action plan.

      Mr. Karimov said he supported Ukraine’s initiative to sign a declaration of CIS heads of state to officially register state borders.

      Mr. Yushchenko and Mr. Karimov also discussed the pension issue.