Energy is priority, leaders agree (2)

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Energy is priority, leaders agree (2)

By Wu Jiao in Tashkent and Li Xiaokun in Beijing (China Daily) 09:10, September 10, 2013

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"The two nations ... object to outside forces interfering in any way in the domestic affairs of Central Asian countries and undermining stability" in the region, the joint declaration said.

The two presidents said at their meeting that the two nations support the peaceful reconciliation and reconstruction process in Afghanistan.

Xi also suggested the two nations start negotiations on their free trade area at an early date.

"High-level mutual trust is the unique advantage of China-Uzbekistan relations," Xi said.

He said that Uzbekistan, "located in the center of geopolitics in Central Asia", has been linked to China by the Silk Road since ancient times.

Karimov told Xi on Monday that China has been sincere in assisting with Uzbekistan's development, "never exerting pressure on Uzbekistan and never attaching political conditions". Facts have proved that China is a "great neighbor and trustworthy partner", he said.

The state heads also signed a treaty of friendly cooperation to form principles and the direction of development of bilateral ties.

They also witnessed the signing of cooperation documents in sectors like trade, energy and investment.

Xi told reporters after the signing ceremony that the two nations will be "comprehensive strategic partners for generations".

Zhang Xiao, the ambassador, said frequent high-level visits between the two nations in recent years reflect their intimacy.

Then-president Hu Jintao visited Uzbekistan in 2010, while Karimov visited China in 2011 and 2012.