"Uzbekistan has made it clear that it wants to maintain relations with everyone," — US Secretary of State
The United States is interested in the development of American business in Central Asia, but does not demand that the region's countries limit cooperation with other states. "Uzbekistan has made it clear that it wants to be friends with everyone. It wants to maintain relations with everyone," stated US Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
"Uzbekistan has made it clear that it wants to maintain relations with everyone" — US Secretary of State
The US is not going to demand that Central Asian countries choose who to cooperate with. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated this to journalists during a visit to Registan Square on October 19.
The day before, Rubio arrived in Samarkand to participate in the C5+1 ministerial meeting and the second meeting of the US-Uzbekistan Business and Investment Council. Representatives of more than 200 major American companies arrived in the country along with him.
"We didn't come here to demand that anyone stop communicating with someone or not cooperate with some other country… We want to ensure that in any part of the world that opens its doors to American business and trade, we are present, visible, and ready to engage. That is the essence," Rubio said, answering a question about what the US can offer Central Asian countries against the backdrop of China's active strengthening of its positions in the region.
He also added that the US stands for "fair competition and equal opportunities." "There is no part of the world where we believe America and American business shouldn't have the opportunity to compete on an equal footing. That is precisely what we are striving for," Rubio said.
The US Secretary of State emphasized that everyone has long realized the importance of Central Asia, and Uzbekistan in particular. He called the results the country has achieved in economic growth over the past decade "astounding."
According to him, the US seeks to find areas for cooperation and does not view this as steps directed against any other country. "At the end of the day, nations seek to develop as many connections as possible," Rubio said.
"Uzbekistan has made it clear that it wants to be friends with everyone. It wants to maintain relations with everyone. It wants to develop economic ties with everyone. We are also declaring our interest," the Secretary of State noted.