Recently, on 22 February, president of Uzbekistan Islam Karimov participated in informal summit of the Commonwealth of Independent States that was held in Moscow. As UzA Uzbekistan National Information Agency informs:

The main issue on the summit agenda was implementation of the Concept of development of the CIS adopted at the October 2007 summit in Dushanbe. The heads of states exchanged views on the important issues of CIS development and improvement of the activity of the CIS executive bodies and development of integration processes.

During the informal summit, Islam Karimov presented to president of Russian Federation Vlidimir Putin the highest award in Uzbekistan Buyuk Khizmatlari Uchun (For Great Achievements). The award was given for a great contribution to development of cooperation and strengthening friendship between the two countries, UzA reports.

Before Putin, the Uzbek boxer Ruslan Chagaev was honored the same award after he became a champion beating Russian boxer Nikolai Valuev.

Yet another effective step towards Russia. I will not be surprised if some of US or EU officials will get Uzbek awards soon…