I welcoming remarks

Information report of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the
Republic of Uzbekistan on the outcomes of the international
conference “Central Asia Is the Core Priority of Uzbekistan’s
Foreign Policy”
The issue was in the center of attention of Uzbek and
foreign participants of the international conference, which was
held on 11 August 2017 in Tashkent.
The forum was organized by the Ministry of Foreign
Affairs of the Republic of Uzbekistan, the Information and

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Analytical Center for International Relations, the UNDP Office
and the Office of the OSCE Project Coordinator in Tashkent.
Abdulaziz Kamilov, Minister of Foreign Affairs of
Uzbekistan, opening the forum, stressed that the head of our state
Shavkat Mirziyoyev determined Central Asia as the principal
foreign policy priority. It is not just a declaration, but a conscious
choice, a natural and sincere desire of Uzbekistan to establish
good-neighborly, friendly, mutually advantageous relations with
its closest neighbors.
Uzbekistan, having a common border with all the states of
Central Asia, is objectively interested in turning the region into a
zone of stability, sustainable development and good-
neighborliness. Addressing all vital issues of the country’s
development (from border security to fair distribution of water
resources) is inextricably tied to the region. Economically
prosperous, secure Central Asia is an absolute imperative for
Uzbekistan. Any major regional transport, communication and
energy projects cannot be implemented without active interaction
with the countries of the region, without ensuring their high level
integration.
Moreover, Central Asia is not only a geographical and
geopolitical, but also a single cultural and civilizational space.
The peoples living in the region are united with common spiritual
values, a single historical past, similar national traditions and
customs, a centuries-old mentality. This community creates a
strong and reliable foundation for regional cooperation.
Petko Draganov, the head of the UN Regional Center for
Preventive Diplomacy for Central Asia (UNRCCA), confirmed in
his speech at the conference that all the initiatives put forward by
the leader of Uzbekistan aimed at bringing all the countries of
Central Asia closer for common development and progress are
fully in tune with the fundamental goals and tasks of the UN. In
this regard, Uzbekistan can count on UNRCCA’s comprehensive
assistance to its proposals. The visit by UN Secretary General

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Antonio Guterres to Central Asia in July clearly demonstrated the
organization’s support for cooperation in the region.
Helena Fraser, UN Resident Coordinator and UNDP
Permanent Representative in Uzbekistan, noted that the Strategy
of Actions adopted in Uzbekistan for 2017-2021 and the foreign
policy implemented on its basis towards the consolidation of ties
with adjacent nations is a guarantee for the prosperity and
sustainable development of not only Uzbekistan, but also Central
Asia as a whole. In this regard, the United Nations fully supports
Uzbekistan’s course to bolster regional cooperation.
Hans Ullrich-Ihm, senior adviser to the OSCE Project
Ccordinator in Uzbekistan, drew attention to the fact that the