DECEMBER 8 – THE CONSTITUTION DAY OF THE REPUBLIC OF UZBEKISTAN.. 1
In Uzbekistan 2017 has been declared the Year of Dialogue with the People and Human Interests. 1
DECEMBER 8 – THE CONSTITUTION DAY OF THE REPUBLIC OF UZBEKISTAN
In Uzbekistan 2017 has been declared the Year of Dialogue with the People and Human Interests
On the occasion of the 24th anniversary of the adoption of the Constitution of the Republic of Uzbekistan, a ceremonial event took place at the “Uzbekistan” palace of international forums on 7 December. The event was attended by state and public figures, representatives of such spheres as science, culture, art and sport, members of the wider public and representatives of foreign states’ embassies and international organizations’ representative offices in this country.
The gathering was opened by the mayor of Tashkent city, R.Usmonov.
The national anthem of the Republic of Uzbekistan was played.
President-elect of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev made a speech at the gathering.
Shavkat Mirziyoyev said that all the successes and achievements attained by the Uzbek people in the years of independence and high economic growth rates in the country clearly indicated the vital power of the country’s Constitution and the fact that provisions and norms enshrined in it had been thought through so deeply and rested on a firm basis.
Reforms embodying the spirit of humaneness are producing great results in further raising the people’s living standards, ensuring the country’s prosperity and development, building up the Motherland’s prestige in the world community and bringing up the younger generation to be well in every respect.
At the initiative of First President Islam Karimov, 2016 was declared the Year of Maternal and Child Health. On the basis of a state programme worked out in this area, large-scale work has been carried out to strengthen the health of mothers and children and to bring up a healthy generation with high moral principles.
Measures specified in this programme were extended to all the regions of the country. And in reaching the noble goal of bringing up a healthy generation, state and nongovernmental organizations, public structures, production enterprises and representatives of the business sector have actively participated, which is a clear sign that this idea has turned into a national effort.
Shavkat Mirziyoyev said that at the initiative of the First President, it had become a good tradition to give a specific name to every new year, that state programmes had been worked out in this area and that a range of measures were to be carried out.
In accordance with this tradition started by the founder of the country’s independence, he proposed declaring the new year 2017 the Year of Dialogue with the People and Human Interests.
This proposal was greeted with thunderous applause from those at the gathering and supported by them.
The ceremonial event concluded with a holiday concert by prominent artistes and young performers.
(Source: UzA)
economy
Contract- legal base of the Republic of Uzbekistan in the sphere of foreign economic activity for years of independence
Now, the Government pays much attention to widespread introduction of information and communication technologies and electronization of services in the field of foreign trade activities. In particular, as a result of implementation of the Automated information system of goods electronic declaration, following the results of 2015 more than 95% of customs declarations were arranged in electronic form.
The solution of the major tasks of integration into the world community is connected with providing the most effective ways for the Republic of Uzbekistan to enter the international trade markets.
In this regard, work carried out on creation of the required multilateral and bilateral contract-legal base plays an important role in promotion of international prestige of the republic. The international agreements of the Republic of Uzbekistan are signed, performed, terminated, suspended and denounced according to the conventional principles and rules of international law, the Constitution of the Republic of Uzbekistan, the Law of the Republic of Uzbekistan “About international treaties of the Republic of Uzbekistan”, provisions of the agreement, and other regulatory legal acts of the Republic of Uzbekistan.
Preparation of drafts of international treaties and fulfillment of liabilities of the Republic of Uzbekistan under international treaties is performed on the basis of decisions of Cabinet of Ministers of the Republic of Uzbekistan No. 473 of 12.12.2000 and No. 15 of 12.01.1998.
The Republic of Uzbekistan being a full subject of the international relations according to article 17 of the Constitution of the Republic of Uzbekistan, in days of independence joined more than to 75 important multilateral international conventions and agreements in the sphere of trade and economic relations.
According to Regulations on the Ministry of foreign economic relations, investments and trade, the Ministry has been assigned the task of developing and signing intergovernmental agreements
“On trade and economic cooperation” and “On encouragement and mutual protection of investments”. Today the Government of the Republic of Uzbekistan has signed following agreements:
– «On trade and economic cooperation» with provision of a Most-Favoured-Nation Treatment in trade with 46 countries of the world;
– «On encouragement and mutual protection of investments» providing the foreign investors with additional guarantees with 52 countries of the world.
Thus, the measures to improve standard and legal and the contract-legal base in the field of foreign trade activity, the Republic of Uzbekistan takes in recent years, ensure consecutive and sustainable development of the republic in the most important spheres of the international economic cooperation.
(Source: «Business partner.uz» newspaper)
free economic zoneS
In the near future, Uzbekistan intends to build four new free economic zones – in Urgut, Gijduvan, Kokand and Khazarasp
The initiative is envisaged by a document currently being developed by the Ministry of Foreign Economic Relations, Investments and Trade of Uzbekistan. The other day, the draft was submitted for public comment on the Single Portal of Interactive Public Services.
The new economic beacons are projected to be located in Urgut district of Samarkand region, Gijduvan district of Bukhara region, in the city of Kokand of Ferghana region, and Khazarasp district of Khorezm region.
“The operational life of economic zones is 30 years with possible extension. Special tax and customs benefits will be applied in their territories within the stipulated period,” the document reads.
Key objectives of the new facilities include channeling direct funds of foreign and local investors to the construction of modern manufacturing ventures, securing integrated and effective use of production and resource capacities of Samarkand, Bukhara, Ferghana and Khorezm regions, intensified localization of production of high-tech goods out of local raw materials.
Moreover, it is planned to establish research and production centers on standardization, certification and labeling of goods in conformity with international standards, and take measures to ensure international recognition of their resolutions.
Worth noting is that locations for the new economic zones were selected upon detailed analysis of the industrial and investment capacities of the regions, and their advantageous setting in terms of access to foreign markets.
Creation of free economic zones in recent years has become an important factor in the enhancement of investments into the national economy for the modernization, technical and technological expansion of industrial production.
The availability of such zones in the territory of Uzbekistan has ensured some additional attractive conditions and mechanisms to enable foreign investors to swell their investments, and pushed national manufacturers to develop the manufacturing of new domestically and internationally competitive and marketable forms of telecommunication, oil and gas equipment, products for chemical, automotive and electrical industries, modern construction and finishing materials, high quality consumer goods and other high-tech industrial produce.
There are currently three successfully operating economic zones in Uzbekistan: Navoi (in Navoi region), Angren (Tashkent region) and Jizzakh (Jizzakh region). Dozens of advanced technological projects have been completed in these areas.
Uzbekistan has made a considerable progress in the privatization of public property, thereby attracting foreign investors. Nearly 5,000 enterprises have been established in the country with foreign investments from more than 90 countries.
(Source: «Uzbekistan Today» newspaper)
International cooperation
Address by the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Uzbekistan Abdulaziz Kamilov at the 23rd OSCE Ministerial Council (Hamburg, December 8, 2016)
On behalf of the delegation of Uzbekistan, allow me to welcome the participants of today’s meeting and express the words of gratitude to the OSCE Chairperson-in-Office, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Germany Mr. Frank-Walter Steinmeier for hospitality extended to our delegation.
I would like to inform that on December 4, 2016 Uzbekistan held early presidential election. According to preliminary outcomes, as a result of free expression of the people’s will, Shavkat Miromonovich Mirziyoev who secured 88,6 percent of votes has been elected as new President of the Republic of Uzbekistan.
Over 600 independent foreign observers from 47 states and several international and regional organizations monitored the preparation and conduction of presidential election. In particular, they included such high-profile structures as the UN, OSCE, Shanghai Cooperation Organization, Commonwealth of Independent States, Organization of Islamic Cooperation, Association of World Election Bodies.
The OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights played a special role in monitoring the electoral process. At the invitation of the Central Election Commission of the Republic Uzbekistan and based on the decision of the ODIHR, a full-scale observation Mission has been deployed in our country for the first time with participation of 20 long-term and 150 short-term observers. We must note that all conditions were created and the doors of all state bodies, civil society institutions and polling stations were opened to the Mission in order to allow it to comprehensively observe the electoral process.
I would like to especially thank the ODIHR and its director Mr. Georg Link, as well as the head of the Mission Ambassador Peter Tejler for their assistance in monitoring the presidential election in our country.
Uzbekistan stands ready to further continue constructive cooperation with the OSCE in improving and strengthening the electoral system of the country.
Dear colleagues,
I would like to briefly dwell upon the following issues.
Uzbekistan will maintain the continuity and consistency of its foreign policy, aimed at protecting and promoting the core interests of the country. Steadiness of Uzbekistan’s foreign policy is determined by a strong commitment to fundamental principles of international law enshrined in the UN Charter, the CSCE Helsinki Final Act and the Constitution of the Republic Uzbekistan, as well as all previously undertaken obligations under international law.
Uzbekistan is a strong supporter of non-interference in the internal affairs of other states, and addressing emerging contradictions and conflicts only by peaceful, political means. Uzbekistan made a principle and unequivocal choice – not to join any military-political blocs and alliances, not to allow deployment of foreign military bases on its territory, not to send its troops abroad.
The region of Central Asia remains the main priority of foreign political activity of Uzbekistan. Namely, pursuing open, friendly and pragmatic policy towards its immediate neighbors.
Against the background of serious challenges and threats in the region, in the conditions of severe clash of various ideologies and movements, preserving and strengthening peace and stability in Central Asia, turning it into the area of security and sustainable development remains among the main tasks of foreign policy of the Republic of Uzbekistan.
Continuing instability in Afghanistan poses a serious threat to the vast region. In these conditions, it is important to continue to facilitate the achievement of peace and stability in this country, peaceful political negotiations, as well as the achievement of national reconciliation among central government and main political forces including the Taliban movement.
Protection and preservation of the environment acquires great importance for Central Asia, especially considering the consequences of the Aral Sea tragedy.
Uzbekistan considers the OSCE as a forum for an equal dialogue among states in which the issues of security, economy and human dimension should have a balanced and equal nature. We stand for further strengthening of its potential in the economic and environmental dimensions.
We support such aspects of activity of the Organization as fighting against transnational threats, including terrorism and radicalism, cross-border narcotics trafficking and cyber crime.
In conclusion, allow me once again express gratitude to the Chairmanship of Germany in the Organization and personally Mr. Frank-Walter Steinmeier for commendable implementation of commitments and wish success to Austria as the next chair country in fulfilling the challenging tasks faced by the OSCE.
(Source: Press Service of the MFA of the Republic of Uzbekistan)
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