The Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced a new version of the foreign policy concept and the planned visits. At a briefing held at the national press center on February 19, Deputy Foreign Minister Furqat Siddiqov spoke about the changes in the foreign policy concept in the new edition and outlined the priority areas.

He noted that the new edition of the document retained the establishment of mutual economic and political relations and good-neighborly ties as one of the priorities.

The following are the main objectives of the new foreign policy concept:

• Promotion of Uzbekistan national interests in its foreign policies, economic sectors in the current trends;
• Strengthening the national security, sovereignty and territorial integrity of the country;
• Systematic promotion of Uzbekistan’s national interests abroad;
• Regular and consistent development of friendly, equal ties and mutually beneficial cooperation with foreign states;
• Improvement of activities to protect the legal rights and interests of citizens and legal entities of Uzbekistan abroad;
• Ensuring the cultural, civilizational and humanitarian segment of world politics, human rights and freedoms.

Now the draft document of the foreign economic activity has passed the interdepartmental agreement, and has been submitted for consideration to the Cabinet of Ministers.

According to Furqat Siddiqov, the new version of the concept focuses on protecting the interests of citizens living abroad, their support.

“A Concept for interaction with expatriates has been developed. Also, organizational work is underway to create a fund for expatriates. In the coming years, many of our reputed compatriots will return to Uzbekistan and work in various fields. Now more than 150 of them are working in managerial and senior positions,” he said.

In addition, a list of more than 480 Uzbek expatriates has been formed - potential investors and experts living in more than 30 foreign countries.

During the press conference, the Deputy Foreign Minister also announced that this year Uzbekistan will host an international conference on the theme: “Central and South Asia: Regional Relations. Threats and Opportunities ".

According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, during the pandemic more than 600 videoconferences were held with various organizations, US$ 350 million in financial loans and US$ 11 million in humanitarian aid were drawn, and more than 600 thousand citizens were returned to Uzbekistan.

In addition, it was reported that the leaders of China and India are planning to visit Uzbekistan during 2021.