Uzbekistan, Tashkent, April 5 / Trend D. Azizov /
UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon has called for regional cooperation to ensure economic growth in Central Asia, he said at a press conference as a result of his visit to Uzbekistan today.
"We have discussed regional and global issues with President Karimov. We agreed that a dialogue and regional cooperation are required for economic growth, development and modernization in Central Asia, as in any other region of the world. Regional problems always require regional solutions," the UN head said.
Ban Ki-moon stressed that Uzbekistan plays an important role in the region. UN Secretary-General called for the implementation of decisions taken in 2009 at a conference of the International Fund for Saving the Aral Sea.
"I have always stressed the importance of resolving the problems of cooperation and competition while using natural resources in a way that it will be in the interest of the whole region and express the interests of all countries," he said.
Ban Ki-moon, paying an official visit to Central Asia, arrived in Uzbekistan on Sunday morning. He familiarized with the situation in the area of ecological disaster in the Aral Sea.
Upon arrival in Tashkent on Sunday, Uzbek President Islam Karimov received UN head.
During Ban Ki-moon's visit, the UN and the SCO signed a joint declaration on cooperation in combating terrorism.
In the middle of the day, UN Secretary General leaves for Tajikistan.