Round table on the topic: “Foreign policy in the context of the Message of the President of Uzbekistan to the Oliy Majlis”

On February 6, 2020, a round table was held at the University of World Economy and Diplomacy on the topic: “Priorities of Uzbekistan’s foreign policy in the context of the Message of the President of Uzbekistan to the Oliy Majlis”. The event was organized by the University of World Economy and Diplomacy together with the Information and Analytical Center for International Relations.

Representatives of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Uzbekistan, the Institute of Strategic and Interregional Studies under the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan, the Development Strategy Center, the Center for Economic Research and Reforms, and the University of World Economy and Diplomacy took part in the round table.

Speakers noted that the Message addressed the most important issues of implementing a broad program of democratic transformations and structural reforms aimed at solving the strategic tasks of modernizing the country. A clear and precise vision of the development of Uzbekistan in 2020 is given.

In the foreign policy sphere, large-scale tasks have been set for the implementation of an open, pragmatic and deeply thought-out foreign policy that meets our national interests. Uzbekistan remains committed to the ongoing expansion of cooperation with all countries of the near and far abroad.

So, only in 2019, the head of state made 18 state and official visits. As part of the events at the highest and high levels, 122 bilateral documents were signed, including four interstate agreements, 31 intergovernmental and 52 interdepartmental agreements, as well as 35 other documents between institutions and regions.

In 2020, bilateral and multilateral summits are expected to be held with the leaders of a number of CIS countries, Central Asia, the European Union and Asia.

Experts emphasized that the key objectives of foreign and foreign economic policy are to create favorable conditions for large-scale reforms and dynamic processes of modernization, comprehensively ensure the interests and rights of citizens of Uzbekistan, strengthen the place and role of the country in the system of international economic relations, strengthen the authority and positive image of the state in the world community.

The head of state, as the cornerstone of Uzbekistan’s foreign policy, outlined the further strengthening of trusting and friendly relations with the Central Asian states. This conscious choice is due to the fact that our country, located in the heart of Central Asia, is directly interested in creating a zone of stability, sustainable development and good neighborliness in the region. In this context, the main foreign policy event in 2019 was the holding on November 29 on the initiative of Sh.Mirziyoyev of the second Consultative Meeting of the Heads of State of Central Asia.

The participants of the event discussed issues of further development and deepening of political, trade, economic, investment, transport, communication, cultural and humanitarian ties with Russia, China, the USA, Japan, the Republic of Korea, Turkey, the United Arab Emirates, the states of the European Union and Asia.

Particular attention was paid to the growing potential of multilateral diplomacy and cooperation within the framework of authoritative international and regional organizations, including the UN, OSCE, CIS, SCO, the Organization of Islamic Cooperation and the Cooperation Council of Turkic-speaking states. The historical significance of the upcoming presidency of our country in the Commonwealth of Independent States this year was emphasized.

Speakers emphasized the importance of the radical transformation of economic diplomacy in Uzbekistan under the leadership of President Sh.Mirziyoyev. In this regard, the problems of the full-scale realization of the economic potential of the republic, increasing the effectiveness of interaction with foreign countries in matters of promoting exports, attracting foreign investment and technology, improving the transport and logistics situation of the country were discussed.

In general, the Message of the President of Uzbekistan to the Oliy Majlis defines the main priorities of foreign and foreign economic policy in the coming year. Achieving the goals and objectives will undoubtedly require active efforts to further deepen cooperation with key foreign partners, and to increase the overall effectiveness of the country's international cooperation.