"You will have to come here often" – Rubio to American businesspeople
He emphasized that President Mirziyoyev's reforms play a major role in today's cooperation.
"You'll need to come here often" – Rubio to American businesspeople
In his speech at the opening of the second meeting of the US-Uzbekistan Business and Investment Council, the US Secretary of State said that cooperation between the US and Uzbekistan is expanding under the Donald Trump administration and stressed that the reforms implemented by President Shavkat Mirziyoyev played an important role in this.
"One of the regions where we should have established cooperation much earlier and on a broader scale was Central Asia, in particular, Uzbekistan.
What pleases me is that this situation began to change about 10 years ago, and under President Trump's leadership, the process has accelerated significantly. President Trump has prioritized this relationship. He demonstrated the importance of this direction by holding a summit at the White House last year. He also appointed Sergio Gor, in whom he has great trust, as a special envoy for Central Asia.
I hope that my visit today also demonstrates how much of a priority this region is for us. More importantly, a number of countries in the region, including Uzbekistan, are being invited as observers to the G20 meeting to be held in the United States later this year," the US Secretary of State said.
He stated that work aimed at strengthening and expanding cooperation between America and the region will continue.
"Let no one have any doubt. The United States wants to be a partner to both this region and Uzbekistan. We are already partners, and we intend to further strengthen and expand this partnership.
Today is a big step on this path. I believe that 5–6 years from now, when people analyze how America's relations with Uzbekistan have developed, they will remember this very evening.
American business and the reforms of President Shavkat Mirziyoyev. They will remember all of you gathered here today, the more than 200 businesspeople who have traveled a long way from the United States.
Get used to it. Because this partnership will grow even further. Maybe you should buy an apartment or a small house here. Because now you'll need to come to Uzbekistan often. We hope for this.
None of this would have been possible without the reforms you implemented, Mr. President. You opened your country to the world. Most importantly, you accepted the United States and President Trump as a partner. As a result, you have created immense opportunities for joint development not only for your own country, but for the entire region and the United States," the US Secretary of State said.