January 4. Tajik President Emomali Rahmonov paid a working visit to Uzbekistan and met with President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Islam Karimov. Prime ministers U.Sultanov and Ya.Azimov signed a joint communique on cooperation in health, culture, science and information, and an agreement on cargo transit, gas and the state house of Tajikistan.

February 18-20. President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Islam Karimov paid an official visit to Ukraine and held talks with President Leonid Kuchma. They signed an agreement on friendship and cooperation, accepted the international consulate convention and signed other documents on intellectual property, environment and gas.  

May 6. Uzbekistan joined the international automotive producers organization in Paris, where Uzavtosanoat took part in the general conference.  

October 30-31. Kazakhstan President Nuresultan Nazarbaev paid an official visit to Uzbekistan, the first by Kazakhstan. The presidents signed an agreement on eternal friendship and cooperation for 1998-2005, as well as accords on fighting crime, oil and gas, education, culture, health and cooperation between Tashkent and Astana on trade, science and culture.  

November 6. The final session of the 155th session of UNESCO executive council was held in Tashkent. President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Islam Karimov spoke. General director of UNESCO Federico Maior awarded President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Islam Karimov the Abu Ali ibn Sino gold medal, noting that this award is for promoting human ideals and for service in cultural and scientific heritage preservation.