MOSCOW (AT)–Russia moved to mend ties with Uzbekistan, the most populous Central Asian state, in an apparent bid to give its fading influence in the region the much needed boost. Russian efforts took place ahead of the summit meeting of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) to be held in Tashkent later this year. Russian President Vladimir Putin (L) and Uzbek President Islam Karimov attend a meeting in Tashkent in this file photo Moscow offered to Tashkent some economic carrots. Earlier this month, Russia wrote off Uzbekistan’s $865 million debt. Moscow’s decision put an end to a long saga of bilateral financial claims and counter-claims, some dating back to early...
↧