MOSCOW. Feb 16 (Interfax) - Russian President Vladimir Putin spoke by telephone to his Uzbekistani counterpart Shavkat Mirziyoyev, the Kremlin's press service said on Thursday.
"A number of matters was considered regarding further expansion of the bilateral trade and economic cooperation," the statement said.
Later on Thursday, Mirziyoyev's press service said that the two presidents had discussed "pressing matters relating to the subsequent development of the wide-ranging cooperation and strengthening the all-embracing strategic partnership between Uzbekistan and Russia."
The pair paid particular attention to more trade, deeper industrial cooperation among leading enterprises and the implementation of investment projects in prioritized sectors as part of a joint Project Office, it said.
"The importance was stressed in this context of conducting the Innoprom. Central Asia international fair and the Uzbek-Russian forum of regions," the statement said.
The two heads of state also exchanged views on the intensification of cultural-humanitarian exchanges and considered the schedule of upcoming events, the Uzbek president's press service said.
During their previous conversation, reported on January 4, the two leaders "confirmed their mutual aspiration to strengthen Russian-Uzbekistani alliance and strategic partnership, boost trade, broaden mutually beneficial cooperation in various areas, including energy," the Kremlin said at the time.