On the eve of his official visit to Uzbekistan Prime Minister of Japan Shinzo Abe answered questions of Information Agency “Jahon”
– How do you assess the role and significance of your upcoming visit to Uzbekistan for the further expansion and deepening of bilateral relations?
– I am very pleased that after nine years an official visit of the Prime Minister of Japan to Uzbekistan is taking place. In the course my current visit during the first meeting with President Islam Karimov I intend to carry out a thorough discussion on wide range issues related to the politics, economy and culture.
Many Japanese people feel a strong desire and a keen interest in learning the history and culture of Uzbekistan, which has become an important strategic point of the Silk Road since ancient times. Here quite a lot people can be found who are fascinated by the beauty of ancient cities as Samarkand, Bukhara, Khiva and others.
The State Academic Bolshoi Theater named after Alisher Navoi is situated in the center of Tashkent, the construction of which was attended by Japanese citizens, and I know that President Islam Karimov and the Uzbek people treat with great respect for this theater.
In Japan, there are a large number of fans of your country in its various aspects. I hope that my visit will contribute to further deepening of historical and human ties.
Uzbekistan is a large state, which plays a significant role in establishing stability and advancement of the Central Asian region. In this regard, we intend to continue our cooperation with Uzbekistan not only in strengthening the bilateral relations, but also to solve Central Asian common issues, such as transportation, logistics, water supply, electricity, the fight against drug trafficking and the control of the state borders, which are important topics of discussion in the dialogue on cooperation between Japan and Central Asia in the format of “Central Asia + Japan”.
– Please share your vision on achieved level and prospects of cooperation between our countries in political, trade-economic, cultural and humanitarian fields. We would like to know your opinion on the participation of Japanese companies in investment projects in Uzbekistan.
– In recent years there is an active political dialogue including mutual visits at high level in the political sphere of the two countries. I hope that thanks to my current visit political cooperation between us would continue to strengthen.
As for bilateral relations in trade and economic sphere, in the last few years Japanese companies in various ways are involved in projects that contribute to the diversification of industry in Uzbekistan. It can be stated as an example that the production of buses and trucks, construction of a plant for chemical fertilizers production, information technologies and so on.
However, I think that, regarding the considerable potential of Uzbekistan, there is still room for the advancement of trade and economic relations between the two countries. A large economic delegation is also coming with me. I hope that its visit will further promote Japanese companies to Uzbekistan, Japanese technology and experience will find their relevant application in the development of Uzbekistan.
In addition, I hope that through the Yen loan, currently being implemented in the energy sector and in the modernization of irrigation systems, high quality infrastructure with the use of Japanese technology has been establishing. In turn, in addition to economic and social development of Uzbekistan they should also serve for further attracting investments by Japanese companies.
Japan implements training programs for entrepreneurs in Uzbek-Japanese Center in Tashkent, as well as training internship programs for the young Uzbek civil servants in Japan.
I was pleased to learn that such assistance within the framework of “Official Development Assistance” of the Government of Japan is highly appreciated in Uzbekistan.
With regard to the cultural and humanitarian spheres, I hope to deepen mutual understanding and friendship between the two peoples through a wide cooperation in such areas as to study the Japanese language in Uzbekistan, exchange of television programs and the development of traditional martial arts and sports.