United States–Uzbekistan relations
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color revolutions" in the former Soviet republics of Georgia, Ukraine, and Kyrgyzstan in 2003–2005, and the Government of Uzbekistan sought to limit the influence of U.S. and other foreign non-governmental organizations (NGOs) working on civil society, political reform, and human rights inside the country .
Relations improved slightly in the latter half of 2007, but the U.S. continues to call for Uzbekistan to meet all of its commitments under the March 2002 Declaration of Strategic Partnership between the two countries. The declaration covers not only security and economic relations but political reform, economic reform, and human rights. Uzbekistan has Central Asia's largest population and is vital to U.S., regional, and international efforts to promote stability and security.[1] According to a 2002 global opinion poll, 85% of Uzbeks view the United States favorably, compared with only 10% who viewed the U.S. negatively.[2] According to the 2012 U.S. Global Leadership Report, 40% of Uzbeks approve of U.S. leadership, with 22% disapproving and 39% expressing uncertainty.[3] Bilateral relationsTrade and investmentTrade relations are regulated by a bilateral trade agreement entered into force January 14, 1994. It provides for extension of most-favored-nation trade status between the two countries. The U.S. additionally granted U.S. Senate in October 2000. However, the Bilateral Investment Treaty will be unlikely to enter into force until Uzbekistan embarks on economic reform. The government is taking some modest steps to reduce the bureaucratic restraints on the nascent private sector.
AssistanceThe United States' humanitarian and technical assistance to Uzbekistan has decreased markedly since 2004, both as a result of government actions against U.S. implementing partners and U.S. Government restrictions on aid. Since its independence, the U.S. has provided technical support to Uzbekistan's efforts to restructure its economy and to improve its environment, education, and health care system, provided support to nascent NGOs, and provided equipment to improve water availability and quality in the State and Defense provide technical assistance in the form of equipment and training to enhance Uzbekistan's control over its borders and its capabilities to interdict the illicit movement of narcotics, people, and goods, including potential weapons of mass destruction-related items. In FY 2003, the United States provided roughly $87.4 million in humanitarian aid, technical assistance, military-to-military funding, and micro-credit support in Uzbekistan. U.S. assistance grew to approximately $101.8 million in FY 2004, but fell to $92.6 million in FY 2005. These programs were designed to promote market reform and to establish a foundation for an open, prosperous, democratic society. Starting in 2004, the Secretary of State has been unable to certify that Uzbekistan has met its obligations under the bilateral 2002 Strategic Framework Agreement. As a result, U.S. assistance declined to approximately $20 million in FY 2006.
Embassy of Uzbekistan in Washington, D.C.
However, after the supply routes through Pakistan were interrupted in 2012, the ban on military assistance to Uzbekistan was pragmatically lifted.[4] USAID provides both technical and humanitarian assistance. Technical assistance to Uzbekistan promotes sound fiscal and management policies, a strengthened business-enabling environment, enhanced competitiveness of the non-governmental organizations to prevent trafficking in persons and care for victims. USAID supports the Institute for New Democracies in initiatives to strengthen the protection of human rights.[5]
U.S. Department of Agriculture 's Commodity Monetization Program are scheduled to finance more than 30 farmer assistance and rural development projects which were approved jointly by U.S. and Uzbek officials in 2005. Some of the selected projects are already underway.
Post-Karimov Era.jpg) Human rights conditions in Uzbekistan under President Shavkat Mirziyoyev have improved slightly because he wants to assure investors, like the United States, that their investments will not be adversely affected by political instability. The government of Uzbekistan has promised an improvement of human rights conditions with optimistic rhetoric on the international stage through The National Action Strategy of 2012–2017, which was a push for reforms that “pledge to improve public administration, strengthen protections for vulnerable segments of the population, liberalize the economy, and increase judicial independence.”[6] This plan includes social and economic reforms because Mirziyoyev understands that economic liberalization needs to happen simultaneously with social reform. Not only does this show Western countries stability, but also a willingness to align more with the United States ideals, making it easier for the United States to justify a close economic relationship with Uzbekistan. Additionally, Uzbekistan has shown a willingness to liberalize the country through not only domestic reform but also diplomatic visits. President Mirziyoyev met Donald Trump on May 16, 2018 at the White House, becoming the first Uzbek president to officially visit the United States since March 2002.[7] Mirziyoyev's shift towards the United States aligns with his previously mentioned goal of transforming Uzbekistan's economy by developing a strong relationship with United States. This in turn will facilitate the process of obtaining loans in international institutions like the World Bank because of the influence the US holds in these institutions.[7] In regards to security cooperation, Mirziyoyev wants the United States to follow its foreign policy towards Afghanistan of increasing the efficiency of the Afghan national security. Military relationsFollowing the 2005 Andijan Unrest and the critical U.S. reaction to the incident.[9] Following year Uzbekistan formally joined the Collective Security Treaty Organization.[9]
In 2012, Uzbekistan opted to formally withdraw from the Russian-led CSTO alliance, leading some to debate whether such a move indicated a shift in its foreign policy to the West, possibly influenced by its increasingly vital strategic position in Central Asia and NATO's impending future withdrawal from neighboring Afghanistan.[10][11] However, Uzbekistan remains a part of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation, of which both Russia and China are part of, and of which it is the only non-founding member.
Diplomatic visits.jpg) Abdulaziz Komilov and President Karimov to discuss the security of Central Asia.[15] Secretary of State Hillary Clinton visited Uzbekistan twice in her tenure, in December 2010 and October 2011.[16][17] In November 2015, Secretary of State John Kerry visited Samarkand as part of his Central Asian tour to reassure the multilateral ties between the United States and the Central Asian nations.[18]
In March 2002, Uzbek President Islam Karimov visited Washington, D.C. to meet with U.S. President George W. Bush at the White House. The two presidents signed a "declaration" that would enhance Uzbekistan's security and law enforcement agencies.[19] United States Secretary of State Antony Blinken visited Tashkent on February 28, 2023. Blinken arrived in Tashkent from Astana where he took part in the meeting of foreign ministers of Central Asian nations in the C5+1 format.[20] Principal U.S. Embassy Officials
Diplomatic missionsThe Embassy of the United States is located in Embassy of Uzbekistan is located on Embassy Row in Washington, D.C.
See alsoReferences
External links
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