It is no coincidence that the Republic of Uzbekistan is among the few countries of the
post-soviet space, where did not arose any conflict on inter-ethnic or interfaith bases during
the years of independence. In Uzbekistan, more than 130 ethnic groups with various
religions live in peace and harmony. More than 2.200 organizations of 16 religious groups
and confessions carry out their activities in a country, which have predominantly Muslim
population (93%). Citizens of our country - representatives of various ethnic groups are widely
represented in central and local authorities of the country. Among them are senators and
members of parliament.
Large-scale transformations in Uzbekistan are carried out by considering the rapid
changes in the world, which is acquiring intensive, less manageable and unpredictable
character. The system of international relations is going through the period of profound
transformation, along with a number of disturbing trends, such as:
– the growing geopolitical confrontation for spheres of influence and natural resources,
the arms race and militarization, the confrontation in cyberspace;
– the expansion of the spectrum of threats of international terrorism and extremism,
the aggravation of interethnic and interfaith contradictions, the strengthening of xenophobia
and aggressive nationalism;
– free interpretation and selective application of generally accepted principles and
norms of international law, reducing the effectiveness of multilateral institutions and
mechanisms designed to ensure international peace and security;
– aggravation of the problems of food, energy and environmental security, which
causes to the growth of strategic tension and turbulence in distant and neighboring regions
of the world.
Against this background, large-scale reforms are being carried out in Uzbekistan in the
military sphere. In January 2018, a new Defense Doctrine of Uzbekistan was adopted, which
ensured the openness of the country's defense policy for the first time. The document
establishes the fundamental principles of ensuring security in the military sphere on the
basis of adherence to the norms of international law, policy of peace and cooperation with
all countries, primarily with neighboring states. The principles of non-participation in military-
political blocs and operations abroad, and the prevention of the deployment of foreign
military bases and facilities on its territory are preserved.
The main priority of Uzbekistan’s foreign policy is Central Asia. As President
Sh.M.Mirziyoyev noted “Central Asia is a single organism that for centuries had a common
geographical, economic, and cultural space. Our main goal is turning Central Asia into a
stable, economically developed and prosperous region jointly”.
In a short time, an active and productive
In a short time, an active and productive
dialogue of Uzbekistan with the neighboring countries dialogue
of Uzbekistan with the neighboring
of the region was developed following the principles of countries of the region was developed
good neighborliness, mutual trust and respect, and following the principles of good
neighborliness, mutual trust and respect,
mutual interests. Mutually beneficial solutions have and mutual interests.
been achieved on a number of actual issues related
to water use, demarcation and delimitation of
borders, the resumption and expansion of transport links, trade relations, and interregional
cooperation. The leaders of the countries of the region showed the unprecedented readiness
to eliminate all the conditions and prerequisites that fueled the conflict potential in Central
Asia. The open, constructive and pragmatic foreign policy of Uzbekistan has created a
fundamentally new, strategically crucial situation in the region.
Uzbekistan, not in words, but in facts, proactively involved in laying a solid foundation
for turning Central Asia into a zone of stability, sustainable development and good
neighborliness.
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