Belarus, Uzbekistan aim to increase bilateral trade to $2 bln per year - Lukashenko

MINSK. July 9 (Interfax) - Belarus and Uzbekistan are on the same page in key areas of their policy and aim to increase bilateral trade to $2 billion per year, Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko said at negotiations with his Uzbek counterpart Shavkat Mirziyoyev.

"We pursue the same policy as Uzbekistan in its main areas. We favor multipolarity. We do not want to interfere with anyone. We're focusing on our people - Uzbekistan on its people, and Belarus on its own. At the same time, we are working very hard to align our interests," the Belarusian state-run news agency BelTA quoted Lukashenko as saying.

Uzbekistan is listed among Belarus' top ten foreign partners, and it ranks third among members of the Commonwealth of Independent States, Lukashenko said. "Of course, this is incomparable with gigantic Russia, but it's still a very high level. You and I have made much headway. I dreamed of such a level of our relations when your first president was in office, but it didn't happen. And I made this breakthrough with you," Lukashenko said.

The goal is to increase bilateral trade to $2 billion, Lukashenko said. "We once talked about one billion. Now, we easily speak about two billion, and have defined those areas of activity that will bring us success, for our government members, our ministers. It is crucial that, besides joint projects, which we will be strictly honoring, you and we together, with your assistance, can access third countries, especially those close to Uzbekistan. They're enthusiastic, and we'll be working together. Moreover, this work has begun," Lukashenko said.

As reported earlier, Belarusian-Uzbek trade stood at roughly $855 million in 2025.