Washington (TDI): Uzbekistan’s Foreign Minister Bakhtiyor Saidov met the United States Secretary of State Marco Rubio at the State Department on Wednesday. Among other matters, Secretary Rubio welcomed Uzbekistan as a full member of the eighty-nine member Coalition to Defeat ISIS.
Appreciating Uzbekistan’s efforts toward peace and against terrorism, Marco Rubio called it a “strong partner to us in curbing illegal immigration and helping to fight terrorism.”
“There’s great potential ahead for investments between our countries and cooperation in the critical minerals and other sectors,” he further noted.
Uzbekistan Foreign Minister @FM_Saidov has been a strong partner to us in curbing illegal immigration and helping to fight terrorism. This kind of partnership is important as we continue to put America’s prosperity and security first. There’s great potential ahead for investments… pic.twitter.com/wfvsaViusa
— Secretary Marco Rubio (@SecRubio) April 9, 2025
Both Ministers discussed cooperation between their respective countries and the potential avenues which can bolster their connectivity. Central Asia, with its reserves of critical minerals, is of prime interest for the United States, who is keen to explore and capitalize this industry.
“We covered a broad range of key areas, including strengthening political dialogue, expanding economic and investment cooperation, advancing regional connectivity, and deepening our shared commitment to security and stability in Central Asia,” FM Saidov said about the his meeting with the Secretary of State.
The Spokesperson of the US State Department, Tammy Bruce, told the media that the US reaffirmed its support for Uzbekistan’s independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity and growing U.S.-Uzbekistan ties.
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“Secretary Rubio welcomed Uzbekistan’s decision to become a full member of the Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS and thanked Uzbekistan for their efforts to facilitate the return of their deportees from the United States.”
“The United States looks forward to working with Uzbekistan on the modernization of safe nuclear energy technologies, enhancing investments between our two countries, and promoting cooperation in critical minerals and other sectors to further advance our strategic partnership,” she added.
Nuzhat Rana is an Associate Editor at The Diplomatic Insight.
