TASHKENT, June 12. /Dunyo IA/.   On June 11^th, within the framework of the working visit of Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Uzbekistan Olimjon Abdullaev to Saint Petersburg, negotiations were held with the leadership of the Governments of Saint Petersburg and Leningrad Region, Committee for External Relations, Committee for Labour and Employment and a number of other specialized organizations, reports Dunyo IA correspondent.

According to the information of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Uzbekistan, during the meetings, Russian side highly appreciated the participation of the Uzbek delegation in the 29^th Saint Petersburg International Economic Forum, emphasizing the significance of the visit of the country's leadership for further strengthening the allied relations between Uzbekistan and Russia.

The parties reaffirmed their mutual interest in expanding trade, economic, investment, and interregional cooperation. The high potential of the Ayritom International Trade Center in Surkhandarya Region as a promising platform for joint investment and logistics projects was highlighted. The Russian side also expressed interest in participating in the upcoming Tashkent International Investment Forum.

One of the key outcomes of the visit was an agreement with the Association for Assistance to International Labour Migration to establish a testing center in Samarkand Region for examinations in the Russian language, Russian history, and Russian legislation.

The management of the Bronka Group and Yuzhny migration centers expressed interest in expanding cooperation with Uzbekistan in the fields of organized labour recruitment, workforce training, and improving services for citizens. The parties reached agreements on increasing the processing capacity of the centers, enhancing the quality of services provided, and strengthening information support for Uzbek nationals in cooperation with the Consulate General of Uzbekistan in Saint Petersburg.

Particular attention was paid to the protection of the rights and legitimate interests of Uzbek citizens. Following meetings with the Human Rights Commissioners and Children's Rights Commissioners of St. Petersburg and the Leningrad Region, as well as the leadership of the International Bar Association, agreements were reached to expand cooperation in the provision of legal assistance and to improve mechanisms for prompt interaction.

As part of the visit, the delegation also visited the Temporary Detention Center for Foreign Nationals of the Leningrad Region, where the living conditions of Uzbek citizens were reviewed. Measures were agreed with the institution's leadership to accelerate the processing of the necessary documents and facilitate the prompt return of citizens to their homeland.

Issues related to the protection of the rights of Uzbek citizens and the provision of consular assistance remain under the constant supervision of the Consulate General of the Republic of Uzbekistan in St. Petersburg.