DUSHANBE, January 19, Asia-Plus - Uzbekistan has joined more than 70 documents of the Eurasian Economic Community (EEAC), First Deputy Foreign Minister, Saymoumin Yatimov, told journalists in Dushanbe on January 19.  

According to the deputy minister, Uzbekistan’s admission into the EAEC makes it possible to review the visa regime that exists between the two countries.  “Uzbekistan’s joining EAEC is of important significance for Tajikistan,” said Yatimov, “The issue of visa-free mutual travel of Tajik and Uzbek nationals will be resolved soon.” 

Uzbekistan became the sixth member of the Eurasian Economic Community at a summit of this organization joined in St. Petersburg on January 25,2006.   

Uzbekistan was expected to have joined all 80 documents signed within the EAEC by the end of 2006.  

Tajik MFA official noted that Tajikistan attaches a great significance to its cooperation with neighboring Uzbekistan.  “Tajikistan and Uzbekistan have to date singed more than 70 documents.”   

Uzbekistan is one of the main trading partners of Tajikistan.  It stands second among the CIS in terms of trade with Tajikistan, following the Russian Federation.   The trade volume between Tajikistan and Uzbekistan reached $234.5 million last year.  

“At present 1,717 Uzbek nationals are studying at higher educational institutions in Tajikistan,” said Yatimov, “We have close contacts with the institutions’ administrations and Uzbek students do not have any problems with getting visa.”