DAILY NEWS HERALD #72

PRESIDENT
Shavkat Mirziyoyev receives the US Special Representative for Afghanistan Reconciliation

On April 12, 2019, President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev received the Special Representative of the United States of America for Afghanistan Reconciliation Zalmay Khalilzad, who is in Uzbekistan on a working visit.
Welcoming the guest, the Head of the state underscored the dynamically developing Uzbekistan – American multi-dimensional cooperation that is built today on the open dialogue and mutual trust.
Intensive contacts at different levels, constructive political interaction, active inter-parliamentary relations, new joint trade and investment projects, the expanding humanitarian exchange – all this is indicative of a dawn of a new era in the strategic partnership between Uzbekistan and the United States.
During today’s conversation, current issues in furthering the Uzbekistan – American relations as well as in the international and regional agenda were considered. The current state and prospects of cooperation between the two countries to address the situation in Afghanistan underwent assessment.
The Head of the state emphasized that Uzbekistan attaches great significance to the advancement of traditionally good-neighborly relations with Afghanistan, stands for the soonest establishment of peace, provision for stability and practical contribution to the economic recovery of that country.
Uzbekistan’s President noted the need for the effective coordination of efforts of the international community in helping to launch the peaceful political process in Afghanistan, with the Afghans taking the lead.
Zalmay Khalilzad expressed deep gratitude to the head of our state for the warm welcome and conveyed the greetings of the President of the United States of America Donald Trump and Secretary of State Michael Pompeo.
The American diplomat said that Uzbekistan’s policy to provide comprehensive assistance to the Afghan people, including through the promotion of important social and infrastructure projects, deserves appreciation.
The Special Representative stressed that the United States supports Uzbekistan’s constructive efforts to promote the inter-Afghan peace talks, in particular, the initiative to hold the next round of dialogue in Samarkand with participation of Afghan government officials.
In addition, the eighth ministerial meeting of the Regional Economic Cooperation Conference on Afghanistan (RECCA VIII) in Tashkent this year will make it possible to work out a strategy for the interaction of adjacent countries in providing practical assistance to the peaceful development of Afghanistan.
During the conversation today, the parties emphasized in conclusion the mutual willingness to bolster the Uzbekistan – American strategic partnership and enhance cooperation toward Afghan settlement in order to secure peace, stability and sustainable development in the region.
(Source: UzA)
OFFICIALLY
Firefighting service transferred from Ministry of Internal Affairs to Ministry of Emergency Situations
On April 10, Shavkat Mirziyoyev signed an order “On introduction in the Republic of Uzbekistan of a qualitatively new system of warning and eliminating emergency situations, as well as ensuring fire safety” and a decree “On organizational measures to further improve activities of emergency departments”.
According to the above documents, to the system of the Ministry of Emergency Situations the followings will be transferred:
— From the Ministry of Interior – Main department of fire safety, its structural and territorial divisions and the Institute of fire safety;
— From the Ministry of Defense – Hydro-meteorological impact management service.
Also, the Center of hydro-meteorological service is transferred from the system of the Emergency Situations Ministry to the Cabinet of Ministers of the Republic of Uzbekistan.
In connection with the transfer of these structures to the Emergencies Ministry, it has been assigned new tasks in the field of fire safety.
On the basis of grassroots of fire safety units, relevant emergency departments on emergency situations, fire and rescue units have been formed with the assignment of tasks not only to extinguish fires, but also to carry out appropriate rescue operations.
In addition, a National center for management and response to emergency situations and territorial operational management centers have also been established, with the authority to monitor and forecast the state of protection of the population and territories.
In order to create a unified system of training and organization of scientific work:
— the Institute of fire safety has been transformed into the Academy with the assignment of tasks for training of highly qualified specialists in full-time and part-time forms of education;
— the Scientific-research institute of fire safety and emergency situations, the Center for initial training and advanced training of firefighters and rescuers, and the Specialized lyceum for preparing young people for admission to higher military educational institutions have been established.
Moreover, in the structures of territorial emergency management departments, life safety training centers have been set up for practical development and reinforcement of the population’s skills for recognizing threats to their health and life, as well as for practicing correct actions in various emergency situations.
(Source: Kun.uz)
BUSINESS CLIMATE
Foundation for support and development of pharmaceutical network to be established in Uzbekistan
The decree of the President of Uzbekistan “On measures to further develop the pharmaceutical network of the republic in 2019-2021” was adopted.
In accordance with the document, the Agency for pharmaceutical network development under the Ministry of Health has been instructed to set up a Foundation for support and development of pharmaceutical network, without establishing a legal entity.
The decree indicates that the Foundation’s funds will be used for the following purposes:
• presenting grants to local manufacturers and scientific-research institutes at the Agency for organization of scientific manuals on creation of new types of pharmaceutical products;
• provision of state laboratories executing quality control of pharmaceutical products and scientific-research institutes at the Agency with the necessary equipment and technology
• covering 100 times the minimum monthly wage for the costs of local producers to carry out pre-clinic and clinical trials of new types of pharmaceutical products not produced in the country;
• compensating 50% of expenses of local manufacturers for registration of pharmaceutical products in foreign countries after submission of the document confirming their registration;
• promotion of local pharmaceutical products, including organization of exhibitions and fairs abroad, conducting seminars, preparing presentation materials and exhibition stands, participation of specialists of the Agency and its subordinate organizations in these events;
• strengthening the material-technical basis of the Agency, incentivizing financially its employees and involved specialists, as well as training, retraining and advanced training of the Agency staff;
• within two years, covering the interest related expenses of domestic producers when they take loans not exceeding $1 million in order to implement projects for production of medicines and medical equipment not produced in our country;
• other events related to the Agency’s activities, not prohibited by legislation.
The Fund for Reconstruction and Development of the Republic of Uzbekistan, within a month, will allocate $25 million in support of the State Fund for support of Entrepreneurship development at the Cabinet of Ministers and the Foundation for support and development of pharmaceutical network.
(Source: Kun.uz)
CENTRAL ASIA - THE PRIORITY OF FOREIGN POLICY OF UZBEKISTAN
Kazakhstan’s President to pay state visit to Uzbekistan
At the invitation of President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, President of the Republic of Kazakhstan Kasym-Zhomart Tokayev arrives in Uzbekistan on 14 April 2019 on a two-day state visit.
It will be the first meeting of the heads of state following Kasym-Zhomart Tokayev’s assumption of office as President of Kazakhstan.
In the course of forthcoming talks in contracted and extended formats, the parties are expected to discuss prospects of consolidating the bilateral relations of friendship, good-neighborliness and strategic partnership along with priority areas for interaction in political, trade-economic, investment, transport and communications, cultural and humanitarian areas, among others.
The Presidents plan to exchange views on the enhancement of regional cooperation and key issues in international affairs.
The two sides intend to adopt a joint statement of the heads of state and sign a package of bilateral documents aimed at bolstering the multidimensional ties between our countries.
The Presidents are also anticipated to take part in the official opening ceremony of the Year of Kazakhstan in Uzbekistan, which will be kicked off with a concert of Kazakhstani art figures and be a logical continuation of the successful Year of Uzbekistan in the fraternal neighboring nation.
(Source: UzA)
Strategic Partnership between the Republic of Uzbekistan and the Republic of Kazakhstan in the Context of the Region-Wide Development of Central Asia
Today in Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan, we are witnessing and directly participating in the process of updating the centuries-old chronicle of friendship and good-neighbourliness between our countries.
For long, the Uzbeks and Kazakhs have been living in peace and harmony, providing support to each other. Time-tested fraternal relations and a high level of strategic partnership are enriched with new content. Over the past two years, we have managed to achieve significant results in the development of Uzbek-Kazakh relations in various fields and directions.
Due to joint efforts, a completely new atmosphere of political trust has been created. A breakthrough has been achieved in resolving many issues that in the past created obstacles to mutual rapprochement to achieve common interests in the further development and improvement of the well-being of our peoples. Trade, investment, transport, communication, cooperation, production, cultural and humanitarian ties, cross-border and interregional collaboration, interaction in the field of security and joint resistance to modern challenges and threats have been intensified and expanded.
A solid foundation has been created to ensure dynamic development of mutually beneficial and multifaceted cooperation based on the provisions of the agreements on eternal friendship and strategic partnership. The legal framework for bilateral cooperation has been significantly strengthened.
Today, we have all the necessary conditions for fruitful and constructive cooperation – deep mutual understanding at all levels. This was largely facilitated by the mutual visits of the heads of our states, which undoubtedly gave new impetus to further strengthen the strategic partnership.
Each meeting of the heads of Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan is always perceived with great uplift and keen interest, since as part of these meetings the sides exchange views on many issues of mutual interest and reach agreements to further strengthen friendship and cooperation.
At the same time, meetings at the level of ministries and agencies have also become regular and cooperation between regions is actively developing. Border and inter-regional relations are expanding and deepening and new mechanisms for activating economic relations are being developed.
In this context, the First Uzbekistan-Kazakhstan Interregional Cooperation Forum, held with great success last November in Shymkent, marked a significant milestone in bilateral relations. The results of the Forum vividly showed the wide, yet untapped potential of Uzbek-Kazakh economic cooperation.
New approaches and trends in the interaction between our countries have led to the intensification of bilateral trade and economic and investment cooperation. Kazakhstan has a firm position as one of the largest foreign trade partners of Uzbekistan. Significant results have been achieved in the development of mutually beneficial cooperation between our countries in economic, trade, transport, scientific, technical, cultural and humanitarian areas. Bilateral trade in 2018 increased by 47 percent and reached $3.022 billion.
One of the key components of Uzbek-Kazakh relations is the cultural and humanitarian area, which plays an important role in preserving and strengthening inter-ethnic peace and harmony, cultivating a sense of mutual respect, mutual enrichment and further rapprochement of the peoples of our countries. The Year of Uzbekistan in Kazakhstan in 2018 is a vivid example of the development of bilateral cultural ties.
This unique event, organised for the first time in the history of many years of our fruitful cooperation, is a striking example of true fraternal relations between two close nations. We are actively working to organise the Year of Kazakhstan in Uzbekistan this year.
The level of successful and productive interaction achieved over the past two years fully meets the interests of the fraternal peoples of Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan and contributes to ensuring stability and progress throughout the region of Central Asia.
Such a breakthrough was made due to the political will of the heads of our states – Shavkat Mirziyoyev and Nursultan Nazarbayev – aimed at developing good neighbourly relations and strengthening and further deepening regional cooperation and unity of the countries of Central Asia.
The President of the Republic of Uzbekistan clearly and precisely defined that the main foreign policy priority of the country is to pursue an open and constructive policy towards its closest neighbours, solving the problems of Central Asia based on equality, mutual consideration of interests and search for reasonable compromises. All these efforts should be aimed at turning Central Asia into a region of stability, security and prosperity.
Achieving these objectives, as well as ensuring sustainable and dynamic development of our entire region, depends largely on how closely and harmoniously the interaction of the Central Asian states is built. In this vein, the partnership of our fraternal countries is important for strengthening regional stability and developing cooperation throughout Central Asia.
This applies not only to political, trade, economic, cultural and humanitarian cooperation, but also to interaction in the fight against major trans-border threats in Central Asia – terrorism, religious extremism, organised crime and drug trafficking.
We should note our close cooperation among international organisations, primarily the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS), Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO), United Nations (UN) and others. We highly appreciate the level of mutual support while considering within these organisations the most important issues affecting the interests of Central Asia as a whole.
Among them, of particular importance is the creation of a Central Asian Nuclear Weapon Free Zone (CANWFZ), as well as the announcement of Aug. 29 as the International Day against Nuclear Tests. The global community not only supported the aspirations of the Central Asian countries for a world free of nuclear weapons, but also acknowledged the merits of Kazakhstan in this process, which announced the closure of the test site near Semipalatinsk.
In addition, Uzbekistan supported the bid of Kazakhstan for non-permanent membership in the UN Security Council, as well as its initiative under the chairpersonship in the Security Council on organising a ministerial debate in 2018 on Building Regional Partnerships in Afghanistan and Central Asia as a Model for the Security-Development Nexus.
In this context, I would also like to note the joint implementation of the initiative of President Mirziyoyev in organising regular consultative meetings of the heads of Central Asian states, which is historical in its significance for Central Asia. This initiative was fully supported by President Nazarbayev and at the suggestion of the head of Kazakhstan, the first such meeting was held on March 15, 2018 in Astana.
It should be emphasised that this format is a good platform for the countries of the region to maintain a regular confidential dialogue and develop coordinated approaches on topical regional issues. The practical implementation of this initiative was made possible thanks to the strong commitment of the Central Asian states to the idea of common interests and responsibility for the future of the peoples of the region.
The adoption of the UN General Assembly resolution titled “Strengthening regional and international cooperation to ensure peace, stability and sustainable development in the Central Asian region" in June 2018 was of utmost significance. This decision was an important step in the development of Central Asia as a common, consolidated region, states of which are capable of jointly solving common problems and ensuring the prosperity of its multi-million population.
The countries of Central Asia also became co-authors of the UN General Assembly Enlightenment and Religious Tolerance resolution adopted in December2018. The resolution is aimed at promoting peace, mutual respect, tolerance and integration, the purpose of which is to strengthen and ensure religious freedom, protect the rights of believers and prevent discrimination.
Today, Central Asia is no longer a periphery of world politics. Every year, the region attracts the increasing attention of the global community and key actors of international relations. This is also facilitated by the growing activity of the countries of the region and their involvement in the discussion and resolution of the most important issues of regional and global politics.
These successes were achieved thanks to the joint efforts and mutual support of the countries of the region, including Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan, to regional initiatives.
In this context, I would like to note similar positions of the leaders of Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan, who consistently advocate for strengthening regional partnership, deepening integration in various sectors of the economy and developing cultural and humanitarian ties.
Today, the process of creating broad opportunities for deepening and building up interregional cooperation and bringing it to a new level is underway. A new page in the centuries-old chronicle of friendship, good neighbourliness, mutual support and cooperation has opened before the states of Central Asia.
All these factors laid the foundation to implement new, major regional economic and political initiatives and strengthen the common interests of the countries of the region in the field of security and sustainable development, as well as the common cultural and civilisational identity of Central Asia.
It should be emphasised that our countries have a firm political will and are ready to work together to keep a trustful, open and constructive dialogue over the whole range of interaction-related issues and to make the necessary efforts to strengthen multi-faceted practical and strategic cooperation in all areas of mutual interest, both at the bilateral and regional levels with the active participation of all Central Asian states.
Abdulaziz Kamilov,
Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Uzbekistan
(Source: Web site of the MFA of the Republic of Uzbekistan)
INTERNATIONAL RELATIONSHIPS
Finnish companies enter Uzbekistan market
On April 11, Tashkent hosted Uzbekistan – Finland business forum.
At the event, which was attended by members of the business delegation led by the Under Secretary of State for External Economic Relations of the Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Finland Markku Keinänen, representatives of relevant ministries and agencies of Uzbekistan, issues of implementation of new projects in various fields and expanding areas of cooperation were discussed.
Deputy Minister of Investments and Foreign Trade of the Republic of Uzbekistan Laziz Kudratov noted the need for further development of trade-economic and investment relations, in which both parties are equally interested, and emphasized the presence of an attractive investment environment for the implementation of joint projects.
Following the forum, agreements were reached on cooperation in education and creation of joint ventures.
Finland delegation attended the opening ceremony of the Honorary Consulate of the Republic of Finland in Tashkent.
Through consular activities, conditions will be created for the use of business opportunities for Finnish business community in Uzbekistan. This is important in attracting Finnish companies to participate in joint investment projects.
(Source: UzA)
INTERNATIONAL LEGAL FORUM “TASHKENT LAW SPRING”
Law in an era of rapid modernization
The International Legal Forum “Tashkent Law Spring” will be held in Tashkent on April 25-27, 2019. The Forum is organized by the Ministry of Justice of the Republic of Uzbekistan with the support of a number of partners.
It should be noted that, for the first time in the history of independent Uzbekistan the International Legal Forum “Tashkent Law Spring” will be held, which will bring together the heads of national and foreign state bodies, as well as representatives of international organizations, the world’s leading legal and consulting firms, well-known scientists, experts and specialists in the field of law.
The forum will be held in the format of discussion sessions on three main directions, such as: “Good Governance”, “Ensuring the Rule of Law and reforming the judicial-legal system”, “Active Investment Policy”.
In addition, master classes and presentations, “round tables” will be organized to discuss current tendencies in the development of law and the application of best practices in the modernization of national law of Uzbekistan.
The forum will feature awarding ceremonies in the following categories: “Best Lawyer of the Year”, “Best Bar Association of the Year”, “Best Corporate Legal Service of the Year”.
Until today, nearly 100 experts from Azerbaijan, Austria, Belarus, France, Great Britain, Georgia, Japan, Italy, Kazakhstan, China, Korea, Kyrgyzstan, Lithuania, Malaysia, Nigeria, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Tajikistan, USA and other countries of the world have confirmed their participation in the forum as a speaker.
First of all Edwin Tong Chun Fai, Senior Minister of State of the Ministry of Law and Ministry of Health of the Republic of Singapore, Alice Fremuth-Wolf, Secretary General of the Vienna International Arbitration Center, Alesh Zalar, Director of the European Center for Dispute Resolution, Carolyn Lamm, Chairman of the American-Uzbekistan Chamber of Commerce, White & Case LLP, Partner, Anga Timilsin, Advisor of UNDP’s Global Anti-Corruption Initiative, as well as professors from Harvard and Bologna universities, Boston Law College Law School, Gastings Law College of the University of California and representatives of such world-famous international law firms as “Dentons”, “Reed Smit LLP” (USA), “Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer” (UK) “Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton LLC” (USA), “Norton Rose Fulbright LLP” (UK).
To date, about 1000 applications for participation in the Forum all around the world have already been received.
Those wishing to participate in the International Legal Forum “Tashkent Law Spring” should register on the official website of the Forum: www.tashkentlawspring.uz/ru/register.
Accreditation of foreign and national media representatives for participation in the first International Legal Forum “Tashkent Law Spring” began on March 1, 2019.
Accreditation is mandatory for all events of the Forum. The deadline for applications is April 15 of this year.
Details of the accreditation rules can be found on the official website of the “Tashkent Law Spring”: www.tashkentlawspring.uz.
Press Center of the Organizing Committee of the International Legal Forum
“Tashkent Law Spring”
(Source: Web site of the MFA of the Republic of Uzbekistan)
EXHIBITON
Golden Man Exhibition
“Great Steppe: History and Culture” exhibition, dedicated to the opening ceremony of the Year of Kazakhstan in Uzbekistan, kicked off in Tashkent.
The exhibition, organized by the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Uzbekistan, the Ministry of Culture and Sports of the Republic of Kazakhstan, the State Museum of Arts of Uzbekistan and the National Museum of the Republic of Kazakhstan, was attended by representatives of two neighboring countries, scientists.The goal of the exhibition is to introduce fans of art and culture of Kazakhstan with its rich history and cultural heritage. It demonstrates the Golden Man – a symbol of the Republic of Kazakhstan.
In the late 1960s – early 1970s, archaeological excavations were carried out in the vicinity of Almaty. During the study of Issik Kurgan, Kemal Akishev found the remains of the Golden Man – the ruler of the Saks. This find has become a symbol of Kazakhstan, received the name Kazakh Tutankhamon and was recognized as the largest discovery of the century.
The Golden Man exhibition was held in Russia, China, Poland, Belarus, Azerbaijan, Korea, and the Republic of Tatarstan. It was visited by more than a million people. It is planned that by the end of 2020 the exhibition will be held in 20 countries of the world.
(Source: UzA)