U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Saida Mirziyoyeva, Head of Uzbekistan's Presidential Administration, appeared before journalists at Registan Square in Samarkand. Rubio began his remarks by thanking the Uzbek side for the welcome and hospitality.
The U.S. Secretary of State noted that Samarkand has served as a major crossroads for global trade for centuries and said representatives of nearly 300 American companies had arrived in the city. According to Rubio, agreements worth billions of dollars are expected to be signed as a result of the visit.
He also stated that the United States is interested in further expanding trade and economic cooperation with Uzbekistan and other countries in Central Asia.
Speaking about Uzbekistan's position in the region, Rubio described the country as a cornerstone of Central Asia, referring to its population and economic development.
"In my view, it is a cornerstone—a foundational element. It is the most populous nation [in the region]. I have not been here before—I just arrived—but I have read about the incredible economic development. The GDP growth rate is nearly 8% annually. That is remarkable," Rubio said.
He also expressed interest in supporting Uzbekistan's continued economic growth.
"We want to support the continuation of this trend. If you experience another decade like the last one, you will reach a very high level. You are already well on your way," he added.
Rubio also commented on the number of tourists visiting Uzbekistan, saying he was surprised by the figures. The U.S. Secretary of State said he had asked about direct flights from the United States and learned that negotiations were underway regarding a direct flight from Miami.
"I was struck by the number of tourists arriving—I was surprised by how high the figures are. I asked about direct flights from the U.S.; in fact, negotiations are underway regarding a direct flight from Miami," Rubio said.
He also referred to Uzbekistan's development since the Soviet era.
"It is always inspiring to see a country that, like all its neighbors, emerged from the Soviet era and reached its current level in such a short period of time," he stated.