Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) – On 28 September 2021, a delegation of Uzbekistan, consisting of representatives of the ISMI under the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan, the Center for Development Strategy, MICA and the NCHR, met with representatives of the Friedrich Ebert Foundation, the German Institute for International Policy (SWP) and the adviser to the Federal President of Germany on diplomatic and foreign policy issues. The meetings were organized with the assistance of the Embassy of the Republic of Uzbekistan in Berlin and the Konrad Adenauer Foundation.

During the conversation, a thorough exchange of views took place on enhancing Uzbek-German interaction in the political, economic, cultural and humanitarian spheres, in the field of security, strengthening parliamentarism and inter-parliamentary dialogue, as well as on the prospects for the development of the situation in Afghanistan.

The partners from Germany were presented with up-to-date information on positive transformations in the socio-political and socio-economic life of Uzbekistan.

In particular, they talked about key reforms in the spheres of education, environmental protection, protection of human rights, ensuring the rule of law and the economy, including measures for the transition to a "green" and digital economy. Special attention was paid to the proactive foreign policy of Uzbekistan, aimed at participation in global and regional processes.

The active tone of the discussion, set by the German side, testifies to the great interest of the expert and socio-political circles of the FRG in the results of the reforms in Uzbekistan.

In this context, Berlin notes that the changes taking place in Uzbekistan contribute to the formation of a positive image of the country, strengthening its role in the international arena.

So, at a meeting with the Uzbek delegation, the head of the International Dialogue Department of the Ebert Foundation, M. Mayer, said that Germany considers Uzbekistan as a reliable and time-tested partner. According to him, Berlin is interested in deepening mutually beneficial and fruitful cooperation with Tashkent.

This is especially facilitated by the balanced and deeply thought-out foreign policy of Uzbekistan, which makes a significant contribution to ensuring sustainable development and stability in Central Asia.

The representative of the Ebert Foundation, the former Federal Minister of Justice, Professor Gertha Doibler-Gremlin noted with satisfaction that in recent years there have been colossal changes in Uzbekistan, citing as an example the unique institution of interaction with the citizens of the country - people’s receptions. It was emphasized that this mechanism of communication between the state and society is an example of direct democracy in Uzbekistan.

According to G. Doibler-Gremlin, special attention should be paid to the active use of mechanisms of parliamentary control over the activities of executive bodies, strengthening the role of parliament in the adoption of the state budget and implementation of foreign policy.

In addition, she highly appreciated the policy of Uzbekistan in the field of climate change, in particular the adoption of the Strategy for the transition to a "green" economy for the period 2019-2030. In this regard, the implementation of programs for the development of renewable energy sources, as well as inter-parliamentary dialogue are identified as important areas of cooperation between Germany and Uzbekistan.

The round table at the German Institute for International Politics (SWP) on the topic “The Impact of the Afghan Crisis on Regional and Security Policy: A View from Uzbekistan” was held in the “Chatham House” format. The participants discussed the efforts of Uzbekistan for a political settlement of the situation in Afghanistan and the position of the Central Asian countries on key issues of the regional and international agenda.

According to German experts, the pragmatic and constructive foreign policy pursued by Uzbekistan significantly strengthens the country’s authority in the international arena and is an important factor in the political settlement of the situation in Afghanistan.

Thanks to the intensified cooperation of Uzbekistan with neighboring countries, there are positive trends in the region, which make it possible to position Central Asia as a stable, sustainable and prosperous region.

Regarding the situation in Afghanistan, it was noted that Tashkent’s policy in the Afghan direction is based on deep analysis and strategic vision. Uzbekistan plays an extremely important role in building a single regional line on the Afghan issue, and also has an increased potential to help stabilize the situation in the neighboring country.

During the meeting with Thomas Bagger, adviser to the Federal President of Germany on diplomatic and foreign policy issues from the German side, it was especially noted that today the Uzbek-German cooperation is developing along an ascending trajectory.

This is evidenced by the regular nature of the dialogue at all levels. Only for 8 months of this year. 4 telephone conversations took place at the highest level (two with the Chancellor, two with the President of the Federal Republic of Germany), during which the parties discussed topical issues of the bilateral and regional agenda.

Thomas Bagger stated that Germany is watching with great interest the reforms in Uzbekistan, which find the support of the country’s population and instill confidence in the people of the future. The main reason for this widespread approval is that the reforms are meeting the expectations of citizens. In this vein, he stressed that the experience of Uzbekistan is of great interest for study and dissemination in the reforming countries.

Discussing the policy in the Afghan direction, the adviser to the President of the FRG said that Germany’s positions coincide with the approach of Uzbekistan, in particular, 1) the formation of a representative government in the country; 2) ensuring the rights of women and ethnic minorities; 3) continued assistance in overcoming the humanitarian crisis, restoring the peaceful economy of Afghanistan; 4) prevention of threats from Afghan territory against other countries.

In the coming days, the Uzbek delegation will continue meetings with German political circles. The program of the visit includes negotiations with the head of department of the Office of the Federal Chancellor of Germany, experts of the German Society for Foreign Policy, as well as a conference at the Academy of the Adenauer Foundation.