Special Representative of the Swiss OSCE Chairperson-in-Office concludes visit to Uzbekistan to promote dialogue and confidence-building

Ambassador Serge Rumin, Special Representative of the Swiss OSCE Chairperson-in-Office for the Promotion of Dialogue and Confidence-building, concluded his two-and-a-half-day visit to Uzbekistan on 24 June. The visit aimed to explore recent regional developments in Central Asia, and particularly the Khujand Declaration and the outcomes of the Fergana Peace Forum. Discussions also focused on the priorities of the Swiss OSCE Chairpersonship and on opportunities to strengthen dialogue, confidence-building, and regional cooperation.

Special Representative Rumin met with Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Muzaffar Madrahimov, Deputy Chairman of the Senate of the Oliy Majlis Sodiq Safoyev, and Director of the Institute of Strategic and Regional Studies under the Presidential Administration Eldor Aripov. He also held discussions at the International Institute for Central Asia.

The recent progress in regional co-operation demonstrates the value of dialogue, trust, and good-neighbourly relations in addressing shared challenges and creating new opportunities for the people of Central Asia. These experiences may also provide valuable insights for broader discussions on confidence-building and regional co-operation across the OSCE Region”, Special Representative Rumin said.

On 22 June, the Special Representative participated in the Young Peacebuilders Cross-Border Initiative in Fergana. This event brought together more than 30 young participants from the border regions of Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan to strengthen dialogue, trust, and practical cooperation across the Fergana Valley. On the margins of the Initiative, he also held a meeting with the Governor of Fergana Region Khairullo Bozorov.

The visit to Uzbekistan formed part of a regional trip that also included Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan.

UzA