TASHKENT, April 19 (Xinhua) -- Uzbekistan and Rwanda have officially established diplomatic relations, according to Uzbek Foreign Minister Bakhtiyor Saidov.

A joint communique on the establishment of diplomatic ties was signed Saturday by Saidov and Rwanda's Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Olivier Nduhungirehe on the sidelines of the fifth Antalya Diplomacy Forum in Türkiye, Saidov said on social media Saturday.

The two ministers also signed a memorandum of understanding on creating a mechanism for political consultations, which provides a legal framework for regular dialogue on key regional and international issues.

Saidov noted that establishing ties with Rwanda is a significant step in Uzbekistan's strategy to expand cooperation with the African continent. Rwanda has become the 167th country to establish official diplomatic relations with Uzbekistan. ■