MOSCOW, April 5. /TASS/. The bilateral trade and economic ties between Russia and Uzbekistan have intensified, and in some sectors see a remarkable increase in turnover, Russian President Vladimir Putin said at a meeting with Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev.

Putin noted that the documents prepared for this visit indicate a new step in the development of relations between the two countries. He added that with Mirziyoyev as the President of Uzbekistan, "We are witnessing our trade and economic ties intensifying, and we have always paid special attention to it." "It should be noted that in general we keep the trade turnover at a high level. In some positions it grows in a remarkable manner," the President said.

In particular, Putin talked about light industry and the agro-industrial complex. "Trade turnover in agriculture has more than doubled," the Russian leader said.

According to Putin, the countries maintain a constant dialogue at the political level, and develop relations in the sphere of security. "Uzbekistan's position in the region is very important to us, keeping in mind the tensions that somehow affect us from neighboring countries, primarily from Afghanistan," he said.

"We are very pleased that you have found an opportunity to visit Russia," Putin told Mirziyoyev in the beginning of the meeting. Putin also noted that the documents prepared for this visit speak of a serious new step in the development of relations between the two countries.

According to the materials prepared for the meeting, imports of Uzbek fruit and vegetable products to Russia in 2016 grew by 92% (to $114.2 mln) in value terms, and 2.3-fold in physical terms (to 142,800 tonnes). In general, in physical volumes, the Russian-Uzbek trade turnover grew by 1% last year (while Russian exports slightly decreased, imports from Uzbekistan increased by 55.4%). In terms of value, the trade turnover between the two countries declined by 3.9% in 2016 to $2.726 bln.