UZBEKISTAN’S FOREIGN POLICY AFTER 2016: A NEW REGIONAL APPROACH TOWARD CENTRAL ASIA

Abstract

Over the last few years Uzbekistan has been showing an unprecedented dedication towards the
progress of the advanced changes in the fields of strengthening statehood, bettering governance and increasing the
welfare state of its people. Today, the term ”New Uzbekistan” is accepted in the international arena not only as a new
concept, but also as a real social phenomenon since Uzbekistan along the new stage of its independent development,
it has been effectively cooperating with many countries and major international organizations in various fields.
Uzbekistan is actively developing a balanced foreign policy directed at the development of mutually beneficial
interaction with the countries of the region, the international community, and the world community leaders. The
national interests approach, which is founded on the international law observance, has made the country gain a great
reputation internationally and formed a more active and equal member of the international and regional processes. In
parallel with ongoing developments, under the strategic guidance of Uzbekistan’s president, Shavkat Mirziyoev, and
the new constitution country has undergone a major transformations in its economic relations, characterized by trade
liberalization, structural reforms, and substantial effort to attract foreign investment. The constant transformations of
political institutions,the development of regional cooperation, the spread of civil freedoms, improvement in
international trade, and the creation of a competitive market situation evidences the determination of Uzbekistan to
create the open and progressive society.