Main Vectors of Tashkent’s Foreign Policy

Abstract

Development of relations with the countries of Central Asia remains among main current priorities for Uzbekistan. The South Asian states have become a new priority vector of Tashkent's foreign policy. For development of relations with them a new railway route has been developed. At the same time, the importance of Afghanistan in the policy of Uzbekistan is increasing, which is reflected in the intensification of interaction between the two countries in both economic and political spheres. At the same time, some guidelines of Tashkent's policy towards Afghanistan are in line with the interests of the United States, which considers Uzbekistan as an important link in its policy in the region. The withdrawal of the US and NATO military contingent from Afghanistan, while high level of terrorist threat in the republic still exists, makes the problem of ensuring security of the southern borders of the CIS urgent for Russia. In this context, the signing of a strategic military partnership program between Moscow and Tashkent, contributing to strengthening of the defense capability of Uzbekistan, is an important step for ensuring the security of the entire Central Asian region.