8 October, 2006… An Uzbekistani delegation, headed by Uzbekistani Deputy Foreign Minister Anwar Salehbayov, visited  Egypt in the period from 3-6 October 2006, within the framework of the  keenness of the Egyptian and Uzbekistani Governments to regularly hold the bilateral consultation mechanism between Uzbekistan and Egypt. The Egyptian Ministry of Foreign Affairs hosted the sixth round of political consultations on 4 October 2006. Egyptian Foreign Minister, Ahmed Aboul Gheit, received the Uzbekistani delegation during the delegation’s visit to Egypt. Both sides reviewed means of promoting and enhancing bilateral relations within the framework of the Egyptian inclination towards enhancing Egyptian relations with Asian countries in general, and with Uzbekistan in particular. The Uzbekistani Deputy Foreign Minister delivered a written message to the Egyptian Foreign Minister from his Uzbekistani counterpart. Bilateral discussions tackled issues of common interest, and Assistant Foreign Minister for Asian Affairs, Ambassador Ali El-Hefni, reviewed the current political and economic reforms that Egypt is witnessing and expressed Egypt’s aspiration to promote and reinforce all aspects of bilateral cooperation. Both sides exchanged views on means of developing bilateral political and economic relations. Ambassador Ali El-Hefni also discussed Egypt’s stance regarding the current regional and international issues including the Egyptian efforts to pacify the situation in Palestine, the recent developments in Lebanon, the situation in Iraq and Sudan, developments of the Iranian nuclear file, as well as the current situation in Afghanistan. Meanwhile, Head of the Uzbekistani delegation reviewed  the political and economic situation in Uzbekistan and assessed the situation in central and south Asia, as well as the Uzbekistani stance regarding the most important issues in that region. The Egyptian and Uzbekistani sides also exchanged views regarding the UN reforms and the expansion of the Security Council, and highlighted the strength of the bilateral political relations.