By Reaven D’souza
Managing Editor
On the occasion of the 30th anniversary of Independence Day of Uzbekistan, the country’s Ambassador in Kuwait H.E. Aloev Bakhromjon released a booklet titled, ‘New Uzbekistan is becoming a Country of Democratic Transformations, Big Opportunities and Practical Deeds’.
The booklet is based on a recent interview by the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan, Shavkat Mirziyoyev, where he provides answers to questions over a wide range of topics related to the country.
In the book, President Mirziyoyev details the steps taken for a new Uzbekistan and noted that the building of a new Uzbekistan is “not a whim, not a subjective phenomenon, but an objective necessity, which has its own fundamental historical foundations, due to the current political, legal, socio-economic, spiritual and educational situation, based on the centuries-long aspirations of our people and fully conforming to their national interests”.
The president points out in the book that the new Uzbekistan is a state, developing in strict compliance with the universally recognized norms in the field of democracy, human rights and freedoms, and on the basis of the principles of friendship and cooperation with the international community, the ultimate aim of which is to create a free, comfortable and prosperous life for the people of Uzbekistan.
President Mirziyoyev highlights six priority tasks that include social policy, economic development, protecting businesses during the pandemic, fundamental changes in agriculture by initiating food security, protecting the health and life of the people during the pandemic and striving to ensure educational and spiritual work for future development.
Uzbekistan, he notes, is playing a leading and important role in the region through its foreign policy which is based on pragmatism and reconciliation. The country is paying special attention to strengthening the centuries-long ties of friendship based on strategic partnership and mutual trust.
The country is also keen to develop the multifaceted and mutually beneficial relations with its main trading partners, such as Russia, China, the United States of America, Turkey, Germany, France, Great Britain, South Korea, Japan, India and Pakistan, and in the Gulf region with the United Arab Emirates, and Kuwait, as well as expanding ties with other states.
Kuwait is one of the principal and important trading partners of Uzbekistan in the Middle East and in the Arabic world. This year Kuwait and Uzbekistan will celebrate 27th anniversary of establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries. During this period, bilateral political dialogues and diplomatic ties have been reinforced, parliamentary cooperation, economic and humanitarian relations have developed very positively and regular political consultations between the two Ministries of Foreign Affairs are being organized.
On 15-16 July this year, the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Minister of State of Cabinet Affairs of Kuwait H.E. Sheikh Dr. Ahmed Nasser Al-Mohammed Al-Sabah, visited Uzbekistan. During his meeting with the President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev, prospects for expanding practical cooperation between the two countries were discussed in detail, including in the areas of trade, investment and innovation, finance, food security, information technology, education and others.
An agreement was reached between the two sides on holding the next meeting of the bilateral Intergovernmental Commission and preparing a joint program of events within the framework of the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations. During the meeting, a constructive exchange of views also took place on topical aspects of international and regional agendas. The two parties also agreed to develop a roadmap that includes specific activities aimed at achieving among others, bilateral cooperation in the financial-credit sphere.
Meanwhile, the Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic Development continues to support the implementation of various social projects in Uzbekistan, including in agriculture, infrastructure, transport and healthcare sectors.
The Kuwait Fund has stood with Uzbekistan since the Central Asian country’s independence, contributing to financing 10 development projects amounting to around USD213 million, and providing grants and technical assistance amounting to nearly $2.5 million.
On the travel and tourism front, in the last few years, Uzbekistan has taken several practical measures to facilitate the granting of visas to citizens of Kuwait. The two countries have established visa-free entry for holders of diplomatic passports and visa-free entry regime for citizens of Kuwait for10 days. Direct flights between the two countries have also become operational since last month.
The farsighted answers provided by the President in the book, indicates that the transformation to a new Uzbekistan is fast becoming a reality for the people of the country.
