President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Islam Karimov has been on official visit in Russia, April 19-20, at the invitation of President Dmitriy Medvedev.

Major part of events started in the Kremlin on April 20 with the meeting of Islam Karimov and Dmitriy Medvedev in tet-a-tet format. During the talks, the sides exchanged views on advancement of Uzbek-Russian relations, expansion of cooperation in the framework of international organizations, on regional and international issues of common interest, including the mitigation and overcoming the global financial and economic downturn.

Interaction with Russia in Uzbekistan’s foreign policy, as well as relations with Uzbekistan in Russia’s foreign policy, is of particular magnitude. Contemporary cooperation is premised on Strategic Partnership Treaty between the two nations signed in 2004, and the one on Allied Relations reached in 2005.

President of Uzbekistan Islam Karimov paid a state visit to South Korea on 10-12 February.

President of Uzbekistan Islam Karimov arrived in Ashgabat December 13 on a two-day official visit by the invitation of Turkmenistan’s President Gurbanguly Berdymuhamedov.

Official welcoming ceremony of the head of Uzbekistan was held at the palace of the President of Turkmenistan. State anthems of the two countries were played. The leaders of Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan observed the guard of honor.

At the talks tet-a-tet, the presidents noted that relations between the two countries have been on a steady development course. They expressed confidence that the visit would boost the bilateral cooperation based on mutual trust, respect and interest.

President of Uzbekistan Islam Karimov visited the Sultanate of Oman with a state visit during 4-5 October.

President of Uzbekistan Islam Karimov arrived in Cholpon-Ata of Kyrgyzstan on 31 July to participate in the informal summit of the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO).

President of Uzbekistan Islam Karimov arrived in Moscow on 14 June to participate in the session of the Collective Security Council of the Collective Security Treaty Organization.

Heads of Uzbekistan, Russia, Armenia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan participated in the summit.

They considered the implementation of the CSTO decision to create the Collective swift response forces within the organization.

President of Uzbekistan Islam Karimov participated in the summit of heads of states of the International Aral Sea Rescue Fund’s founding countries, held on 28 April in Almaty, Kazakhstan.

The fund was created on 4 January 1993 at the Tashkent meeting of leaders of Central Asian states. Its main goal is to develop and finance projects and programs aimed at improving the environmental situation in the regions affected by Aral crisis and search for solutions of the common socioeconomic problems.

President of Uzbekistan Islam Karimov participated in the extraordinary session of the Collective Security Council of the Collective Security Treaty Organization, held on 4 February in Moscow.

The security factor is the basis of development. No country may consider itself insured from the influence of the global threats and challenges. These include terrorism, extremism, separatism, illegal drug and arms trade and others.

On October 9-10 President of Uzbekistan Islam Karimov visited Bishkek, where he took part in the meetings of the CIS Council of the Heads of State and the Interstate Council of the Eurasian Economic Community (EurAsEC), as well as the Summit of Heads of States of Central Asia.

CIS summit took place In Bishkek on October 10. The main issue of the summit was the discussion of economic development strategy of the Commonwealth. The document is based on the level of development, capacities and capabilities of each CIS member country and the strengthening of long-term economic cooperation and the intensification of economic integration processes.

On September 11, 2008 the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Islam Karimov arrived in the Republic of Azerbaijan with official visit, the agencies reported.

The visit of the Uzbek Leader to Baku began with a welcoming ceremony in Zagulba residence. Islam Karimov and Ilham Aliev stepped up to the podium. The state anthems of both countries were played. Then the two presidents observed the honorable guard lined up in honor of the high-level guest.

Then the both presidents held tête-à-tête talks.