Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) -- Uzbekistan has already achieved a radical transformation of the nature of interstate relations in Central Asia in a short historical period of time. This point of view was expressed by the first deputy director of the Institute for Strategic and Interregional Studies under the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Akramjon Nematov during the round table "Strategic vision of the Republic of Uzbekistan for strengthening interaction between Central and South Asia", held on 25 June 2021.

According to the expert, the new political atmosphere in Central Asia creates favorable conditions for the Central Asian states to jointly promote large economic projects of a trans-regional nature, to bring their relations with neighboring regions to a new level and to actively involve the region in the formation of multilateral coordination and cooperation structures.

In this regard, the forthcoming in July this year, the international conference “Central and South Asia: regional interconnectedness. Challenges and Opportunities” is intended to consolidate the countries of the two regions in the construction of the conceptual foundations of a sustainable model of trans-regional connectivity.

In this context, the representative of the ISMI expressed his conviction that the development of cooperation between the two regions will undoubtedly become a logical continuation of the country's open, proactive, pragmatic and constructive foreign policy strategy, which Uzbekistan is implementing with the election of Shavkat Mirziyoyev to the post of President in 2016.

Following this course, as A. Nematov noted, Uzbekistan, together with its neighbors, has already achieved a radical transformation of the nature of interstate relations in Central Asia in a short historical period of time. Today Central Asia is more consolidated and predictable, resistant to external challenges and trials.

Realizing this, Uzbekistan, according to the first deputy director of ISMI, at the present stage promotes the political and economic concept, which is based on the desire to building between Central and South Asia a new architecture of cooperation based on the principles of multilateralism, systemic political dialogue, mutual trust and mutual benefit, equality and consideration of each other's interests.

In this context, the expert outlined tasks such as building a huge space of equal opportunities, mutually beneficial cooperation and sustainable development, as well as creating a belt of stability and security around Central Asia as the main goals of Uzbekistan.

All these aspirations, according to A. Nematov, are a reflection of the political vision of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan. As he noted, Sh.M. Mirziyoyev has a clear understanding of the impossibility of effectively promoting the launched large-scale internal economic reforms, implying the modernization of all sectors of the economy and spheres of social development, without creating a favorable external environment.

The event, organized by the International Institute of Central Asia jointly with the Development Strategy Center, was attended by experts from information and analytical structures of Uzbekistan. Within the framework of the forum, an exchange of views took place on the issues of strengthening interconnection in Central and South Asia, specific proposals for the practical implementation of the potential of the two regions in various areas of cooperation were discussed.