Uzbekistan, the most active Central Asian country in the past five years, will celebrate its 30th anniversary of its independence from the Soviet Union on Wednesday (September 1).
The leaders said that the anniversary is a milestone in Uzbekistan’s national construction, and this Central Asian country is looking forward to the next stage of development. Some people call it the “third revival.”
Following the death of its hardline predecessor and former patron Islam Karimov, President Shavkat Mirziyoev took over the most populous country in Central Asia in 2016, marking the country’s opening to the world and participating in the region The foreign policy of cooperation has changed.
Muslim-majority but firm and secular Uzbekistan has a population of 33 million, of which 20 million can vote. Mirziyoyev is expected to win the presidential election scheduled for October 24, although opposition candidates are expected to be able to gauge their influence.
Mirziyoyev recently told New Uzbekistan According to the newspaper, the preparations for the 30th anniversary are underway, and it mentioned that the “New Uzbekistan” park and the “independent complex” are under construction, which are expected to be the main venue for the celebration.
Mirziyoyev cited the country’s achievements in state-building over the past 30 years, mentioned past mistakes, and talked about recent efforts to abandon the totalitarian regime and build a democratic society. He talked about “New Uzbekistan” and the next stage of its development, which he called the “Third Renaissance”.
The first Renaissance in Uzbekistan from the 9th to the 12th centuries, also known as the Eastern Renaissance, produced hundreds of great scientists and famous thinkers. The authorities created the necessary conditions for the development of the country.
The second Renaissance from the 14th to the 16th centuries was called the “Timurian Renaissance”. Military leader Amir Timur admires enlightened people. He said: “Victory is not in power, but in thought.” The Amir has always encouraged and appointed knowledgeable experts to important positions.
Under the leadership of Mirziyoyev, Uzbekistan focused on the development of tourism and the protection and development of world heritage sites such as Samarkand, Bukhara and Khiva.
The President described “New Uzbekistan” as “a country that has developed in strict accordance with the accepted norms in the fields of democracy, human rights and freedom and on the basis of friendly cooperation with the international community. Its ultimate goal is to create freedom, comfort and prosperity for the people. life”.
Although Uzbekistan cannot be described as a mature democracy according to Western standards, under the leadership of Mirziyoyev, democratic reforms have been introduced, similar to the ongoing “controlled democracy” in its neighboring Kazakhstan. change”.
Mirziyoyev said: “In fact, our democratic reforms are irreversible. This is the most important result we have achieved today.” He added that the country’s leaders acknowledged that “there is a forced labor problem in our lives. Especially children, unemployment, poverty, corruption, housing, education and health. We are working with the public to solve these problems.”
indeed, International Labor Organization (ILO) recognized The Uzbekistan cotton industry’s systematic and systematic use of child labor and forced labor has ended, although it still exists in some places. Since the Soviet era, school children have participated in the harvest of cotton, which is considered a normal practice.
“Uzbekistan today is not the Uzbekistan we dream of. We still have a long way to go. In the past, our roads were not easy, and we will not be smooth sailing in the future. However, we should not be afraid to move forward bravely and make great progress. Accidental decision […] For the benefit of our people,” Mirziyoev said.
The President emphasized that “New Uzbekistan” is mainly about new economic relations and new economic vision. “Our country’s economic system is undergoing a complete reorganization. If it is difficult, we have already begun to practice market mechanisms,” he said.
Under Karimov’s leadership, Uzbekistan has the strictest and strangest foreign exchange system, which discourages foreign investors. Mirziyoyev said that these are now “a thing of the past.” There is nothing easier than cashing out from a debit card through an ATM machine, or buying and registering houses and properties in any region of Uzbekistan.
International experts say that before the pandemic, Uzbekistan became a regional leader in the growth of foreign investment influx. In 2019, the amount of foreign investment used increased by 2.3 times, reaching US$4.2 billion. China, Germany, the United States and Russia showed the greatest interest.
In an interview, Mirziyoyev also talked about regional cooperation. He said that the problems accumulated over the years in relations with neighboring countries have been resolved.
“The border has been opened. The broken ties between neighbors, brothers, fathers and sons, and relatives have been restored. People have begun to travel freely from one country to another. Visa issues have been resolved. Trade, economic, cultural and humanitarian relations are accelerating. ,”He said.
Uzbekistan hosted a high-level meeting on connectivity in Central Asia from July 15 to 16, which was praised by the international community, especially the European Union.
On the issue of Afghanistan, the president also adopted a constructive tone.
The president said: “Uzbekistan, as Afghanistan’s nearest neighbor, is interested in establishing peace and stability in this country at an early date.”
The U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan has raised concerns about the potential spread of tensions in the region.
According to a report by the Russian state news agency TASS last week, Uzbekistan has accepted about 400 refugees from Afghanistan and placed them in temporary shelters near the Afghan border.
Since the Taliban insurgents occupied Afghanistan, it is not clear how many Afghans have entered Uzbekistan.
