INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS

Aziz KAMILOV

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Aziz Kamilov, Ph.D. (Hist.), assistant professor, independent expert (Tashkent, Uzbekistan)

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In international affairs, the republic followed its traditional course aimed at constructive and consistent expansion of political, economic, and other relations in a broad range of foreign policy issues, focusing particular attention on regional and sub-regional ties. For example, on 4-6 January, First Iranian Prime Minister Mohammad Reza Aref visited Tashkent. During his meeting with Uzbekistan’s government representatives, he talked about bilateral cooperation, primarily in transport and communications. Afghani Public Works Minister Suhrab Ali Safari also participated in the ceremony to sign the Provisions on an Interstate Coordinating Council for setting up a transportation corridor between Afghanistan, Iran, and Uzbekistan. In the future, the so-called Trans-Afghan Corridor could bring not only immense financial, but also political dividends.

Along with this, friendly relations were reinforced between the republic and Russia. The Russian Federation has invested more than $1 billion in Uzbekistan’s oil and gas industry alone, which the republic’s Foreign Minister Sodik Safaev mentioned in an interview with Russia’s Nezavisimaia gazeta on 24 January, 2005. But the interview mainly focused on preparing public opinion for the need to withdraw the armed forces of third countries from the region. “We believe that Central Asia should not become militarized. This is too dangerous. It would be better……….

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