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To keep up the consistent and successful dynamics of positive transformations in our country, it is extremely important that mutual respect, religious tolerance and interethnic harmony prevail in society. In this direction, Uzbekistan actively interacts with international organizations, which over the years have made a significant contribution to strengthening spiritual and universal values, foreign policy dialogue aimed at maintaining stability and security, exchange between cultures and religions.
The Konrad Adenauer Foundation has been operating in Tashkent since 1994, serving as a kind of conductor of close partnership relations between Germany and Uzbekistan. Mr. Ronny HEINE, Regional Representative of the Konrad Adenauer Foundation for Central Asia answers our questions.
— The Konrad Adenauer Foundation exists over 65 years, and the purpose of its establishment was promoting of Christian-democratic educational and advocacy. What are the current tasks of this organization in Germany and abroad?
— The Konrad Adenauer Foundation was founded in 1955 as a society for Christian-democratic educational work. Since 1964, the foundation was named after Konrad Adenauer, the first Federal Chancellor of the Federal Republic of Germany. His principles are guidelines, mandate and obligations for the Foundation, which is active as a political foundation nationwide and internationally.
Our foundation has performed very well in international rankings for many years and is among top 20 best think tanks in the world. In the “Global Go To Think Tank Index Report 2020” in the “Top Think Tanks Worldwide (U.S. and non U.S.)” category, we were ranked 15th out of 174 and were thus voted the best German think tank.
In our work, we focus on three main areas: security, innovation as well as representation and participation. In the context of these important major subject areas, we hold seminars, workshops, conferences and debates together with our experts and exchange experiences and opinions on why we are in favor of democracy, the rule of law, peace, freedom, prosperity and solidarity in an increasingly interconnected world, discuss what challenges we are all facing and how we position ourselves together with our partners to protect and promote these values. Through our activities together with our national partners, we want to encourage people in the region to stand out for democracy and the rule of law, to deal rationally with innovative and digital development processes and to act responsibly and in a problem-conscious manner. A state and a society can only develop well if people, as responsible citizens, take responsibility for themselves as well as for their state and society.
In Uzbekistan we work with many competent and reliable partners. Our joint events focus on the development of democracy and the rule of law, science and education, the media and the promotion of the social market economy. In the past year alone, we carried out more than 20 activities on education, economic, municipal, environmental, energy, foreign and security policy issues in both online and hybrid formats.
In addition, a joint project of the European Union and our Foundation to promote a regional cross-border dialogue for tolerance and peace in Central Asia, which is planned for the period 2020-2022, is being implemented together with our national partners in Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan since 2020. In Uzbekistan, our project partner is the Nationwide movement «Yuksalish». The project aims, among other things, to develop different formats of cross-border and regional dialogue, to build capacities of different target groups such as youth, educators, NGOs, journalists, representatives of the police authorities, religious communities and government agencies to effectively overcome common regional challenges, promote cross-border networks to strengthen NGOs and journalists and to support their joint cooperation initiatives and platforms.
— Uzbekistan is a strategically important country in Central Asia. What was the starting point for the establishment of the Foundation´s Regional Office for Central Asia in Tashkent?
— The history of the opening of our office in Uzbekistan goes back to the early 1990s. Germany was one of the first countries in the world to recognize the independence of Uzbekistan and established diplomatic relations in 1992. In April 1993, the first President of Uzbekistan, Islam Karimov, paid an official visit to Germany. Many high-level meetings took place during his visit, including with then — Chairman of the Konrad Adenauer Foundation, Gerd Langguth. At this meeting, the foundation was invited to Uzbekistan to support Uzbekistan on its development path with advice and action. In November 1993, a framework agreement was signed between the Konrad Adenauer Foundation and the government of Uzbekistan and in July 1994, the Konrad Adenauer Foundation opened its Regional Office in Tashkent.
Our Regional Office serves four Central Asian countries — Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan. We support our Central Asian partners by bringing people together who accept their social responsibility. At our events, we offer the opportunity to learn new things and to exchange ideas with one another. The focus is on people in their unmistakable dignity, rights and duties. For us, it forms the starting point for social justice, free democracy and sustainable business. We see ourselves both as bridge builders between Europe and Central Asia and between the actors in the region.
— Every year the dynamics of positive changes in our country increases under the leadership of President Sh. Mirziyoyev. Konrad Adenauer, as one of the great statesmen, was able to raise Germany almost from the ruins after seven years of utter devastation as a result of the World War II and turn the country into a strong world economic power. Can you give your assessment of the reforms carried out in recent years in Uzbekistan?
— The current dynamic developments in Uzbekistan are impressive and are attracting great international attention. The reforms that President Shavkat Mirziyoyev has initiated since taking office can be seen and experienced everywhere in the country. There is great dynamism in Tashkent, but also in the provinces that I have visited so far. The gradual modernization and democratization of Uzbekistan is a fact and it is to be hoped that this path will be continued consistently. It is in the interest of the country and has a positive effect on the entire region.
In the past four years, important economic and political foundations have also been set. The Uzbek currency has been freely convertible since September 2017. The state has also set itself the goal of reducing its stake in companies. In addition, the prerequisites are to be created to increase the country’s attractiveness for private investments. Uzbekistan needs international investors and is also taking steps to guarantee their legal security. One of the last changes in this area, that foreign investors can now appeal directly to the Supreme Court in disputes, improves confidence in the country’s investment policy. A good professional banking system is also of great importance for the smooth functioning of the economy. The fact that Uzbekistan intends to promote digitalization of the banking system and privatize a number of banks is a good sign for both national and international business communities. Another economic development factor for Uzbekistan can be the establishment of more than 20 free economic zones. The extent to which these will contribute to the country’s economic development depends on the practical implementation and the efficiency of these economic zones. The reality that there is now a strong focus on fighting corruption and that the Anti-Corruption Agency has been established in Uzbekistan underlines the seriousness of the intentions to improve the investment climate in the country over the long term. However, further reforms and efforts are necessary to improve competitiveness with other attractive markets in the enlarged region.
The steps taken by Uzbekistan to improve relations with its neighbors are of great importance to foreign policy — also against the background of economic development. The borders, which had been practically closed for years, were opened, the visa requirement abolished, and air and railway connections restored. As President Mirziyoyev also emphasized in his recent address to the Parliament, Uzbekistan would like to further develop its good neighborly relations and strategic partnership with its Central Asian neighbors.
— The initiatives of President Sh. Mirziyoyev, put forward at the 75th session of the UN General Assembly, as well as the Address to the Parliament of Uzbekistan caused a great interest in the international expert community. We are interested in your opinion about these calls and the country´s development priorities in the future.
— The speech by the Uzbek President at the 75th session of the United Nations General Assembly and his address to Parliament focused on a number of topical issues at local, regional and international levels. In Uzbekistan there is a tradition of defining tasks at the end of the year, from which a special state funding program is then worked out and implemented under a motto over the course of the new year. The new tasks and initiatives are usually a logical continuation of the previous development programs. To this end, public discussions take place at expert level, in which we also participate. For example, on January 20 of this year, an international expert discussion took place in online format with our long-term partner, the Institute for Strategic and Interregional Studies under the President of Uzbekistan, whose agenda included the tasks, initiatives and implementation mechanisms defined by President Mirziyoyev as well as the importance of state programs for further transformation of the country. Over 30 international experts from leading think tanks took part in the event. Experts expressed their assessments and opinions on the initiatives and proposals of the Uzbek head of state in the areas of state and social structure, rule of law, liberalization of the economy, social policy and the implementation of an open, pragmatic and constructive foreign policy. In addition, we have published a publication with our partner “Yuksalish” that takes stock of the country’s development since the reform process began in 2017.
— Germany pays special attention to strengthening partnership relations with Uzbekistan, which is becoming increasingly important in Central Asia. This has been mentioned more than once by the German side. What role does Uzbekistan play in strengthening regional security and creating a belt of stability and prosperity?
— Uzbekistan is located in the heart of Central Asia and borders all Central Asian republics and Afghanistan. There are Uzbek minorities in all neighboring countries. As part of the new Uzbek development strategy, President Mirziyoyev is striving to maintain closer cooperation and good relations with country’s neighbors and to expand cooperation through transnational projects. The aim is also to achieve greater unity on foreign policy issues among the Central Asian states.
Uzbekistan’s new defense doctrine, adopted in January 2019, is also aimed at building and expanding constructive relationships with its neighbors. It includes the renouncement of the production and proliferation of nuclear and other weapons of mass destruction, the non-participation in military alliances, the prohibition of foreign military bases on the territory of the country as well as the non-participation in military missions abroad.
Religious extremists and terrorists that enter the country from Afghanistan and other neighboring countries pose the greatest threat to national security. Radical Islamic groups in Uzbekistan that question the secular model of society and thus stability and social peace are also a security risk for the country. The promotion of peace in Afghanistan and the maintenance and development of friendly relations with Kabul are therefore the main priorities of Uzbek foreign policy. Uzbekistan plays an important role in regional security and is endeavoring to establish a multilateral dialogue. In his most recent address to parliament, President Mirziyoyev also indicated that Uzbekistan would continue to support Afghanistan. Uzbekistan is currently involved in several infrastructure projects in Afghanistan such as the construction of the Surkhan-Puli-Khumri power line and the construction of the railway lines from Mazari-Sharif to Herat and Peshawar with access to the Pakistani port in Gwadar.
— A year ago, your Foundation organized the international conference on “A new stage of state and public construction in the Republic of Uzbekistan, increasing the role of the parliament and representative authorities in the democratic modernization of the country”. What far-reaching steps of Uzbekistan in this direction you can emphasize?
— Yes, a year ago we held a conference with international participation in cooperation with the two Chambers of Oliy Majlis and the Nationwide movement “Yuksalish”. The agenda of the event included four panels on important reform projects in Uzbekistan such as strengthening the role of parliament, establishing parliamentary control over the executive government, developing the digital economy, improving the prosperity of the population, and developing education and science. The event also served as a starting conference for our monitoring seminars in the regions in order to define the goals and tasks of our seminar series more clearly. In Uzbekistan we are currently experiencing a new stage in the establishment of a democratic constitutional state. In the last four years the country has opened up internationally. Changes are taking place in public administration. Efforts are made to operate a policy that is close to the people and transparent. The parliament has the claim to strengthen the control over the executive government and the public procurement system. Anti-corruption measures with high public profile are being taken nationwide. In Transparency International’s Corruption Perceptions Index for 2020, Uzbekistan was ranked 146th out of 180 countries in the world, an improvement of seven places.
Significant reforms are also being implemented in the judiciary and further professionalization of parliamentarism is also on the reform agenda. Political parties are called upon to express their views on important matters and problems of the state and society. That would also help them to become better known among the population.
Ensuring freedom and the guarantees of independent journalistic activity enshrined in the country’s constitution and laws are the next milestone on Uzbekistan’s reform path. The annual government funding programs aim to solve many urgent problems. A targeted, clearly defined and precisely planned implementation of these programs would be of great importance for the development of the country and the prosperity of the population. This year the results and assessments of the five-year development strategy will be drawn. On this basis, further course is defined and priorities for the coming years are set.
— The culture of Uzbekistan is diverse, since the values of many peoples and cultures have merged on the territory of our country. The Islamic civilization is of course of particular importance to us. What trends can be observed in the issues of inter civilizational dialogue and the preservation of traditional values in the globalization context, and what national features of the mentality and religious tolerance of our country can you highlight?
— The Central Asian region has played a prominent role in the development and mutual influence of Eurasian cultures for many centuries. The region between the Amudarya and Syrdarya rivers has been a kind of turning point since ancient times, a multicultural crossroads of the world where Iranian, Eurasian-nomadic, ancient Syrian, Indian, Hellenistic, Chinese, Muslim, and East Slavic civilizations continuously and actively interacted. This region has always played one of the key roles in the development of world trade. An important part of the Great Silk Road ran through Central Asia, which began as early as the 2nd century BC. and connected remote regions of the East and West. Thanks to this, there has been an intensive and fruitful mutual exchange of technological achievements, knowledge, religious and cultural values between the most diverse peoples of the Eurasian world for many centuries.
The richness and uniqueness of the cultures of the peoples of Central Asia are linked to their important role in this global exchange. The role of the Central Asian peoples in the spiritual development of mankind is just as great as in the cultural development of the peoples. All world religions — Zoroastrianism, Buddhism, Christianity, Islam — and a number of regional religious traditions are represented in the complex historical and cultural mosaic of the heritage of the peoples of Central Asia.
Understanding the history of the Central Asian region in the broad context of the development of world civilization and the contribution of its peoples to the formation and development of universal human values, realizing that their culture is a centuries-old product of various influences, offers a unique opportunity to develop tolerance towards spiritual values, to develop religious traditions and practices of other cultures. This is important in general ideological terms, especially when you consider the devastating consequences of ethnocentrism, religious intolerance, extremism and terrorism, and chauvinism. At the same time, this in no way means a rejection of the national peculiarities as well as the historical and cultural peculiarities that go back with their roots to antiquity and make up the living soul of every nation. On the contrary, genuine tolerance based on the understanding of the fundamental importance of respect for other cultural traditions has nothing to do with lifeless cosmopolitanism and disregard for the ethno-cultural peculiarities of people. The history of Central Asia can certainly help to find this fragile line, which does not allow a national sense of identity to develop into ethnocentric narrow-mindedness and religious intolerance.
Relying on its integral historical legacy, Uzbekistan is building its development strategy on the principles of inter-ethnic harmony and religious tolerance. With 34 million inhabitants, Uzbekistan is one of the multiethnic and multiconfessional states in the world. Representatives of 136 nationalities and 16 denominations live here, who are linked by a common historical fate and belong to a state with an ancient and diverse culture.
Uzbek state policy is also aimed at maintaining interethnic and interreligious peace and harmony, as well as ensuring respect for the national and cultural identity of the peoples of Uzbekistan. The spiritual unity of the people and common moral values that have arisen here over centuries of coexistence are a factor for the development of the country that is no less important than political and economic stability.
— The Foundation’s overseas activities are focused on promotion of political education, strengthened integration, development of art and culture through provision of fellowships to talented students and postgraduates. Can you highlight this area of activity of the organization?
— The political education measures of the Konrad Adenauer Foundation cover a broad spectrum of social, scientific, political and environmental topics.
— In economic thematic areas, we organize forums to identify development factors and opportunities for economic upswing and, together with our national partners, try to strengthen the economic self-confidence of our countries of operation. In addition, we hold events on contemporary history together with historians from the region, which enable a look at the events of history and their relevance for the present. Education plays a major role in this. To this end, we offer measures of various formats for the internationalization and reform of the university landscape and for the promotion of talented young people. Another challenge facing the region is educating people about the consequences of climate change and effective energy and water management. Measures taken by our Foundation bring together decision-makers, experts and representatives of civil society as well as journalists and exchange opinions on current issues on an open and trust-building platform. The cooperation between Central Asia and Europe, as well as developments such as digitization and environmental issues are debated in an international discussion club and examined in more detail in workshops.
As long as our expertise and experience are required, our foundation will continue to provide advisory and practical assistance to the reform processes in Uzbekistan
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