President Mirziyoyev on 21 December signed a Decree "On opening of consulates of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Uzbekistan in Samarkand, Bukhara, Urgench, and Nukus and further improvement of services by the consulate in Termez",  the press service of the Tourism Development Committee (former UzbekTourism) said.

The Resolution is set to provide consular and legal assistance to Uzbek nationals traveling abroad and to foreign nationals arriving into the country, and contributing to the development of Uzbekistan’s economic, investment and tourist potential. It should also facilitate the implementation of priority socio-economic, investment and humanitarian projects in the regions.

The main objectives set for these consulates:

• provision of consular and legal assistance, prompt consideration and execution of documents submitted by foreign nationals at local level, who visit regions of Uzbekistan for business and tourism purposes;
• provision of consular and legal assistance to foreign companies and representative offices of international organizations accredited in Uzbekistan, implementing priority socio-economic, investment and humanitarian projects, related to extension of visas, authentication and apostilzation of documents, as well as on other issues, in the competence of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs;
• assistance to returning of Uzbek nationals who have lost passports in foreign countries;
• assistance to travel companies in their efforts to develop the tourist potential of Uzbekistan, aimed at attracting foreign tourists to the country's regions;

In order to provide prompt consular and legal assistance and visa issuance for foreign nationals arriving in the regions, the consulates will be located in the buildings of the international airports in Samarkand, Bukhara, Urgench, Nukus and Termez.