Uzbekistan is fortifying the foundations of political stability by strengthening interethnic harmony and friendship in Central Asia

Rich in cultural and historical heritage, Uzbekistan, located on the crossroads of the Great Silk Road, for centuries, served as a bridge between Europe, the Middle East, and South and East Asia. Eminent men of science, who laid the foundations of various disciplines were born and found their fame on this land.

International law has a concept of national minorities. But there is no such thing in Uzbekistan. Representatives of different nations and nationalities till this day live in harmony and friendship. In our country, the state guarantees equal rights for all people. The concept of “the one nation of Uzbekistan,” enshrined in the Constitution of the Republic of Uzbekistan, serves as a legal and spiritual foundation for strengthening the feelings of mutual respect, friendship, and harmony among people of different nationalities and nations, living in the same country in the name of common goals. Besides, article four (4) of the Constitution of the Republic of Uzbekistan states that Uzbekistan ensures a respectful attitude toward languages, customs, and traditions of representatives of all nations and nationalities living on the common land, creating conditions for their development.

Peace and stability along with interethnic and civil harmony in Central Asia, our common land, continues to be the greatest treasure of past years. Awareness of this value and its enduring significance is growing in the minds of our people. The state has created all conditions for the preservation and development of the national traditions and culture of the people living here.

The peace that is prevailing in our country is our priceless wealth of tranquillity, friendship and national unity, mutual respect, and inter-ethnic harmony.

The decree of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan “On measures for further improving interethnic relations and friendly ties with foreign countries,” dated May 19, 2017, has become an important step in this direction. According to the decree, the promotion of a culture of tolerance and humanism, strengthening inter-ethnic and inter-confessional understanding, civil accord in society, as well as reinforcing friendly, equal, and mutually beneficial relations with foreign countries is one of the priorities of Uzbekistan’s state policy.

Thanks to the political will of our head of state, extremely important works have been carried out in terms of strengthening the principle of tolerance in our country, establishing close friendly ties with neighboring countries, and revealing Uzbekistan’s tolerance to the world.

Thanks to the political will of the head of our state, crucial works have been carried out to strengthen the principle of tolerance in our country, establishing close friendly ties with neighboring countries, and opening Uzbekistan’s tolerance to the world.

Following the initiative put forward by Shavkat Mirziyoyev during the 72^nd session of the UN General Assembly in New York in September 2017, heads of Central Asian countries came to hold regular consultative meetings. Thanks to the collective efforts of all presidents of Central Asian countries, the level of political trust in the region has significantly increased. Groundbreaking decisions on many pressing issues are found. Friendship and brotherhood relations of Uzbekistan with neighboring countries have taken on a new impetus and a new meaning.

As a result of Uzbekistan’s admission as a full member of the Organization of Turkic States on September 15, 2019, not only cultural and spiritual but also trade and economic ties within the organization are reaching new heights. This allows us to consider Central Asia as our common home.

The United Nations-supported initiatives proposed by the five Central Asian states. Namely, measures to preserve the nuclear-free zone, combat terrorism, reach consensus on water use, and other programs.

Thanks to its energy potential, natural resources, transportation, and communication networks, Central Asian geopolitical importance is growing. The recent intensification of cooperation between the countries in all fields has been reflected in the growth of trade turnover and the strengthening of business cooperation.

The Samarkand conference dedicated to the problems of stability and sustainable development in Central Asia under the banner “Central Asia: One Past and Common Future, Cooperation for Sustainable Development and Mutual Prosperity” once again reiterated strengthening relations between countries and gave a new impetus to cooperation within the region. In addition, countries agreed to hold informal summits of the heads of states and take active steps in solving global problems.

Consistent personal communication of the heads of states within bilateral visits as well as international events and forums play a crucial role in the development of economic, cultural, and humanitarian ties.

All these countries, so as we, are interested in the development of our common home, Central Asia, in the spirit of friendship and good neighborliness. This is an important factor that lays a foundation for our common prosperity. For the past seven (7) years, the domestic and foreign policy of Uzbekistan has seen transformative changes. Representatives of the world community, international experts, and politicians recognize the changes. Uzbekistan’s aspirations to rebuild friendly relations with neighboring countries mirror the nations’ will to pursue similar goals: continuation of ancient ties. This, in turn, has become an important factor in further strengthening friendly relations between the peoples of Central Asian countries. Trade, investments, tourism, and transportation infrastructure of today make Central Asia a common home. Worth noting that the reform, carried out in all areas, is a clear result of the new and forward-looking policy initiated by the head of our state.

Victor Mikhailov,

Head of the Center for the Study of Regional Threats