Tsahkent, July 6 (Petra) -- Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign and Expatriates Affairs Ayman Safadi held expanded talks in Tashkent on Monday with Uzbekistan's Foreign Minister Bakhtiyor Saidov on prospects of enhancing bilateral relations and expanding cooperation across priority sectors under a roadmap agreed during His Majesty King Abdullah II's visit to Uzbekistan and his talks with President Shavkat Mirziyoyev in August, 2025.
The ministers reviewed progress in implementing the outcomes of the royal visit and affirmed continued efforts to finalize around 20 agreements and memoranda of understanding on trade, economic, agricultural, water, municipalities, pharmaceuticals, energy, health, tourism, cultural, investment and defense fields.
The agreements are expected to be signed during President Mirziyoyev's planned visit to Jordan before the end of the year.
Safadi and Saidov highlighted a series of follow-up meetings between officials from both countries aimed at broadening cooperation, including a visit of an Uzbek government and private-sector delegation to Jordan in September, 2025, the first session of the Jordanian-Uzbek Joint Ministerial Committee in April, and the signing of a visa exemption agreement to facilitate trade, economic, tourism and cultural exchanges.
They also noted the launch of Royal Jordanian's direct flights between Amman and Tashkent, with the inaugural service operating on June 30, 2026, and the establishment of the Jordanian-Uzbek Joint Business Council under an agreement signed by the two countries' chambers of commerce on Feb. 16, 2026.
The ministers agreed to prepare for the inaugural Jordanian-Uzbek Business Forum to promote investment, deepen economic cooperation and strengthen private-sector partnerships.
They also noted continued growth in bilateral trade and stressed the importance of building on this momentum to increase trade volume and mutual investment.
They agreed to hold the third round of political consultations between the two foreign ministries during the final quarter of the year to follow up on the implementation of the royal visit's outcomes and complete preparations for President Mirziyoyev's visit to Jordan.
The talks also covered regional developments, with both ministers stressing the need to support efforts aimed at ending escalation and enhancing security and stability in the region, particularly following the signing of the memorandum of understanding between the United States and Iran.
On the Palestinian issue, Safadi and Saidov underscored the need for stability in the Gaza Strip and ensure a sufficient, sustained and unhindered delivery of humanitarian aid to end the ongoing humanitarian catastrophe. They also reaffirmed the need to achieve a just and lasting peace based on the two-state solution.
The ministers emphasized a growing momentum in bilateral relations and pledged to continue expanding cooperation in line with the directives of the two countries' leaderships. They also reaffirmed continued coordination within international organizations, including the Organization of Islamic Cooperation.
Safadi also visited the Center of Islamic Civilization in Tashkent, which officially opened in March and is regarded as one of Uzbekistan's leading cultural and civilizational projects.
//Petra// NQ
