Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) -- During the eighteenth plenary meeting of the Senate of the Oliy Majlis, held on 26 August 2021, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Uzbekistan was heard about the work done in the first half of 2021.

During the meeting, it was noted that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs carried out certain activities to implement the foreign policy of our country, protect the state interests of Uzbekistan and the rights of citizens of the country in relations with foreign states, as well as in international and regional organizations. At the same time, special attention is paid to the regulation of the activities of ministries, departments, institutions for the development of international relations.

So, with the active participation of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in the first half of 2021, more than 40 visits and meetings of the Head of State with leaders of foreign countries, heads of international organizations were organized.

125 visits of representatives of ministries and departments, khokimiyats of regions of Uzbekistan to foreign countries took place in order to strengthen bilateral contacts and develop cooperation. 

The Ministry, together with diplomatic missions abroad, signed 473 export contracts for a total of US$411.5 million. Funds of gratuitous technical assistance and grants were attracted in the amount of US$88.27 million. In order to more effectively promote the export of domestic products and attract foreign investment, 706 various events, presentations were held, and 719 materials were published in foreign media.

Along with this, in the process of the study conducted by the Senate, as well as its discussion in local Kengashes of people's deputies, it was noted that there were a number of problems and shortcomings in the activities of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

In particular, the need was stressed to organize systematic work with local government bodies to control the quality and timeliness of investment projects proposed by diplomatic missions.

The absence of an established system of analytical and marketing research of promising foreign trade markets, as well as the prompt presentation of their results to relevant ministries, departments, business structures and leading exporting enterprises, was noted.

The need to improve financial discipline and establish effective control over the spending of budgetary funds in the ministry was emphasized (in 23 cases identified by the Ministry of Finance, overspending of funds by more than 1 billion soums was allowed).

At the same time, the senators also highlighted the facts of untimely execution of a number of provisions of the Senate Resolutions and the Senate Committees. In particular, this took place following the results of hearing information on the status of implementation of the "road maps" signed as a result of high-level visits, as well as reports of the heads of diplomatic missions of Uzbekistan abroad.

Following a comprehensive and open discussion, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and other relevant departments, as well as local Kengashes of people's deputies were given specific instructions and recommendations for further improving the activities of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The corresponding resolution of the Senate of the Oliy Majlis was adopted on the considered issue.