Uzbek president optimistic about future ties with U.S.

Uzbek President Islam Karimov hailed the relations with the United States and voiced optimism over their prospects at a meeting with visiting U.S. Republican Senator Lindsey Graham of South Carolina, local media reported Friday. Uzbekistan highly valued the relations with the United States and Tashkent was strongly optimistic about the prospects for strengthening ties with Washington, Karimov said. Karimov and Graham discussed a wide range of regional and international topics, including Afghanistan's post-war reconstruction. The success of rebuilding the Afghan economy is a key condition for political stability and normal life in the country, they said.