Online events supported by OSCE Project Co-Ordinator in Uzbekistan discussed rule of law and foreign policy

The OSCE Project Co-ordinator in Uzbekistan co-hosted two online roundtable discussions on the main priority areas of the State Programme for the year 2020, which is part of the 2017-2021 National Action Strategy. The two events focused on the fields of rule of law and foreign policy, on 7 and 9 July respectively and were organized in co-operation with the Development Strategy Centre.

The first event concerned the rule of law and the judiciary in Uzbekistan’s State Programme for 2020 and was attended by high-level representatives from the Supreme Court, the General Prosecutor General’s Office and the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Uzbekistan. They presented recent and future policy reforms and also discussed areas that need further improvement.

Ola Quarnstrom, Rule of Law Officer at the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR), said during the event: “The overall goal of these reforms is to achieve increased compliance with OSCE human dimension commitments and other international standards.”

The second online discussion focused on the implementation of a balanced, mutually beneficial and constructive foreign policy by Uzbekistan. The event gathered experts and representatives from the Senate of the country’s Oliy Majlis (parliament), the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the National Human Rights Centre, as well as representation from bilateral missions in the country. Attention was paid to the progress Uzbekistan has made in recent years in implementing changes and reforms which foster stronger co-operation with other OSCE participating States and beyond, and increased political confidence in Uzbekistan on the international scene.

OSCE Project Co-ordinator in Uzbekistan John MacGregor reminded the attendees that the 2017-2021 National Action Strategy is almost fully consistent with OSCE commitments, and said that there have been significant achievements related to its implementation.  “It is important to measure progress towards national goals. Events such as this with participants from many OSCE participating States also create dialogue, increase mutual understanding, and promote sharing of best practices, all of which is so critical to the fullest implementation of OSCE commitments.”

The online events were part of the Media Week on the five priority areas of the 2017-2021 National Action Strategy of the Republic of Uzbekistan that took place from 7 to 10 July.  In addition to ensuring the rule of law and constructing foreign policy other priority areas include Improving the system of state and social construction, further reform of the judicial system, economic development and liberalization, social development and security as well as inter-ethnic harmony and religious tolerance.