TASHKENT (TCA) — A video conference analyzing the work of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and embassies of Uzbekistan in foreign countries was held on January 11 under the chairmanship of President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, the Jahon information agency reported.
It was said at the meeting that consistent implementation of the principle “Central Asia — the main priority of foreign policy of Uzbekistan” has allowed to create a completely new political atmosphere in the region, to strengthen interrelations based on trust and good-neighborliness, and on this basis to solve a number of important issues related to water use, borders, renewal and expansion of transport communication.
Significant impetus has also been given to further development of cooperation with Russia and other CIS countries, China, the United States, South Korea, Turkey, a number of European and Asian states.
The meeting identified priority tasks for 2018, based on a critical analysis of the results of activities of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and its diplomatic missions abroad in 2017.
The President emphasized that in 2018 — the Year of supporting entrepreneurship, innovative ideas and technologies, it is necessary to radically improve the effectiveness of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in all areas. First of all, this is the promotion of export of domestic enterprises’ products, attraction of foreign investments, advanced technologies for modernization of industry and infrastructure, active work on increasing the flow of tourists to Uzbekistan. This requires active involvement of Uzbek ambassadors and diplomats abroad.
The head of state proposed to assign specific regions of the country and economic sectors to each embassy abroad. Now each Uzbek ambassador would start his working day with a telephone conversation with the governor and heads of industries of the region for which he is assigned, to discuss issues related to implementation of specific investment projects, promotion of domestic products in the foreign market and of the country’s tourism potential.
In turn, governors of Uzbekistan’s regions should visit respective countries at least twice a year in order to study best practices in the spheres of urban development, infrastructure development, introduction of information, communication, and energy-saving technologies, and learn experiences in industry, agriculture, education and health.
