Uzbekistan, Tashkent, July 31 /Trend D.Azizov/
The Legislative Chamber of Oliy Majlis (lower house of the parliament) will consider the draft law On Approval of the Concept of foreign policy of the Republic of Uzbekistan at the next plenary session.
The bill was submitted to the MPs by President Islam Karimov as a legislative initiative, the press service of the parliament said.
The main provisions of the bill were discussed during the meeting of political party factions and deputy groups of the Environmental Movement.
Protection and promotion of national interests in the international arena are determinants of international relations in the formation of the conceptual foundations of Uzbekistan's foreign policy in accordance with the bill.
The main goal of Uzbekistan's foreign policy is based on the primacy of national interests of the republic and equal cooperation, strengthening of national independence and sovereignty, further strengthening the country's role in international life as a full subject of international relations and the establishment of space around the Uzbek security, stability and good neighborliness.
Parliamentarians stated during the discussion of a draft law that the processes of globalization, on the one hand, offer opportunities for sustainable development of the state, but at the same time generate overt and covert threats in the sphere of economic, food, energy, environmental, and human security, on the other side. These aspects are crucial in shaping the priorities of the foreign policy of Uzbekistan and protect its national interests on the world stage.
In particular, the Central Asian countries have no unified position on the issue of using trans-boundary rivers. As a result, vital issues of efficient use of water resources remain unresolved.
Uzbekistan has and maintains a principled position on the rational and efficient use of trans-boundary waters in Central Asia.
The clauses of the concept, declaring Uzbekistan's open, friendly and pragmatic policy in relations with its neighbors, the issues of resolving all current political, economic and environmental problems, taking into account mutual interests and on the basis of international law were stressed during discussions. Central Asia's problems must be settled without the intervention of external forces by the countries of the region, the participants said.
The participation in the activity of the authoritative international and regional organizations fully corresponds to the country's national interests inherent in the bill.
It was emphasized that Uzbekistan considers the United Nations as the only universal organization in the sphere of global security and stability.
In this regard, Uzbekistan will continue effective cooperation with the UN and its specialized agencies (UNESCO, UNICEF, UNDP, the World Tourism Organization, and others) in terms of the country's stable development, achieving the Millennium Development Goals, resolving environmental problems in the region.
"Following the discussions, a decision was made to support the bill on 'Approving the concept of Uzbekistan's foreign policy' at the upcoming plenary session of the Legislative Chamber," spokesman said.