On October 25, 2021, First Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Uzbekistan Farkhod Arziyev met with OSCE/ODIHR Director Matteo Mecacci, Uzbekistan MFA reports.

The meeting was attended by the Head of the Election Observation Mission of the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (OSCE/ODIHR) Eoghan Murphy, Vice-Presidents of the Parliamentary Assembly Reinhold Lopatka and Daniela Ridder, Head of the ODIHR Election Department Meaghan Fitzgerald and Head of Elections at the OSCE PA Andreas Baker.

The parties noted with satisfaction the open and trusting dialogue established in recent years between Uzbekistan and the OSCE, and expressed readiness to continue close cooperation in areas of mutual interest.

The OSCE delegation was informed about the large-scale reforms being carried out in Uzbekistan to improve the electoral system, strengthen the protection of human rights and freedoms, the foundations of civil society, promote freedom of speech and media, and ensure gender equality.

Matteo Mecacci expressed gratitude to the Uzbek side for creating all the necessary conditions for the effective operation of the Election Observation Mission. He welcomed the openness and constructiveness shown by Uzbekistan during the preparation and conduction of the entire electoral process.

UzA