Andrei Grozin, Head of Central Asia and Kazakhstan Department at the Institute of CIS Countries, Senior Research Fellow at the Institute of Oriental Studies of the Russian Academy of Sciences, commented on President Shavkat Mirziyoyev’s Address to the Oliy Majlis and the people of Uzbekistan:

– The Address of President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, in my opinion, is interesting, not only for the large-scale tasks set for the near future, but also for a summing up of the interim results of the long-term modernization process, which allows us once again to assess the fundamental changes in the country and society.

Uzbekistan is a pivotal supporting state in Central Asia due to its population, the region’s second-largest economy, its key role in ensuring regional security, and its central geographic location.

Since 2016, the country’s Leader has announced large-scale changes not seen in the region since the Soviet era. Serious reforms have begun in the country’s economy. Tashkent clearly demonstrates to the world that it is profitable and safe to invest in Uzbekistan’s economy.

Stimulating measures for the development of industry and the service sector are yielding their results: in his Address, the President noted the unprecedented results achieved in the economy.

Today, Uzbekistan has become the center that defines and shapes the transport and logistics map of the entire region. The measures outlined in the Address for the further development of the country’s transport system indicate a further strengthening of the state’s position as the transport and logistics “heart” of the entire region.

It is no exaggeration to say that the ongoing modernization across all spheres, along with new foreign and domestic policies, has significantly accelerated economic development throughout Central Asia.

The main result of implementing Shavkat Mirziyoyev’s new policy was not only the resolution of previously seemingly unsolvable contradictions but also the establishment of a solid foundation for advancing shared security priorities and sustainable development for all states in the region.

I would separately highlight the President of Uzbekistan’s view that the country can solve any task through national unity. As the President emphasized, in all historically difficult periods, the people of the country relied primarily on unity and mutual support.

I.Abdukhalikov, UzA