International cooperation of the Republic of Uzbekistan

September 31, 1991 is the day when independence of the Republic of Uzbekistan was officially proclaimed, and the initial point of Uzbekistan's full-scale integration in the world community.

After gaining sovereignty Uzbekistan started to independently conduct its foreign policy. It was based on the following standard principles: priority of national interests and norms of international law, non-interference in internal affairs of other states, resolution of all disputes in peaceful manner; taking into account the mutual interests to pursue one’s own national interests, not to fall in sphere of influence of any Great Power, establish and develop mutual as well as multilateral external links on the basis of confidence, intensify cooperation in international economic and financial bodies.

So far Uzbekistan established diplomatic relations with more than 120 countries of the world.

Forty four embassies of foreign countries, 9 honorary consuls, 10 representatives of international organizations, 5 international financial organizations, 3 trade delegates with diplomatic status operating now in Tashkent.

At the same time, there are 46 diplomatic and consular representatives of the Republic of Uzbekistan in foreign countries and international organizations, including permanent missions at the UN in New York and the UN European department and other international organizations in Geneva.

Uzbekistan is a member of more than 100 international organizations, including the UN, SCO, CIS, CSTO, etc. Close relationships have been established and developing with the European Union and NATO are developing well.

Establishment of relations with many countries on the principles of equality rights and mutual understanding helps Uzbekistan be integrated in the world community and develop the international political, economic, scientific and cultural cooperation.

Enhancement and development of relations with neighboring countries is one of the most important foreign policy priorities of Uzbekistan. Further intensification of regional cooperation is a vitally important condition for maintaining peace, stability and prosperity in Central Asia.

Dynamically developing and gradually its relations with western countries, countries of Asia-Pacific, South-East and South Asia, Uzbekistan is willing to make these relations more substantial.

Based upon the Partnership and Cooperation Agreement (1996) between Uzbekistan and the European Union, our country has been intensifying a political dialogue, trade and cultural-humanitarian relations with the EU.

Uzbekistan has been broadening its cooperation with both North and South Americas, especially with the USA. Tashkent and Washington are extending the cooperation in the spheres of countering the global security challenges – drug trafficking, proliferating WMD, enhancing of peace and stability in Afghanistan.

During the years of independence, Uzbekistan has established direct contacts with Islamic countries of Asia, Middle East, which are close to Uzbekistan spiritually, culturally and traditionally. Development of political, economic and cultural relations with these countries has a positive dynamic.

Another vital direction of Uzbekistan’s foreign policy is the cooperation with CIS countries. The parties can coordinate their positions for securing both common and specific national interests on bilateral and multilateral bases within the framework of this cooperation.

The cooperation aimed at maintaining the regional and global peace and stability is another of priorities of Uzbekistan's foreign policy. Based on the principle of indivisibility of security, Uzbekistan will pursue it’s policy of intensifying the role of international institutions, mainly the UN, in ensuring the international and regional stability and security.