By Anadolu Agency
July 10, 2023 9:17 amISTANBUL
Several regional and global leaders on Monday congratulated Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev on his reelection to a seven-year term, following an early presidential election held in the country on Sunday.
According to preliminary results, Mirziyoyev received 87.05% of the votes cast in the Sunday elections by 15.6 million out of approximately 20 million registered voters.
On April 30, Uzbek citizens voted on constitutional amendments that provided an increase in the presidential term from five to seven years and allowed incumbent President Mirziyoyev to run for reelection after two consecutive terms.
Following the vote, Mirziyoyev announced early polls, which the country’s Election Commission decided to hold on July 9.
Russia
Russian President Vladimir Putin congratulated his Uzbek counterpart on his election victory during a phone conversation on Monday, said a statement issued by the Kremlin.
“The convincing victory in the elections confirms your high political authority, testifies to the broad popular support for your course of large-scale reforms aimed at further dynamic development of the country, strengthening its international positions, and protecting the rights and interests of citizens,” Putin said.
Moscow appreciates Mirziyoyev’s “principled line” in strengthening the partnership and alliance between Russia and Uzbekistan, Putin said, expressing he is confident that joint efforts will ensure the build-up of mutually beneficial cooperation in bilateral ties, as well as coordination in regional and international affairs.
“This undoubtedly meets the aspirations of the Russian and Uzbek peoples. From the bottom of my heart, I wish you, dear Shavkat Miromonovich, good health, prosperity, and success in such a responsible role as head of state,” the president said.
China
Chinese President Xi Jinping also congratulated Mirziyoyev on his victory in the early presidential elections, saying bilateral ties have achieved leapfrog development during their tenures, according to state news agency Xinhua.
In his congratulatory message, Xi expressed his readiness to work with Mirziyoyev to sustain and promote China-Uzbekistan comprehensive strategic partnership, noting that he highly values their good working relationship and personal friendship, the news agency added.
Azerbaijan
Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev congratulated his Uzbek counterpart Mirziyoyev on his election victory and exchanged views on bilateral ties and other issues of mutual interest during a phone conversation.
“President Ilham Aliyev described this victory as the people’s support for the policy implemented in Uzbekistan under the leadership of Shavkat Mirziyoyev and expressed his confidence that Uzbekistan will continue moving along the path of comprehensive development … in the coming years,” the Azerbaijani presidency said in a statement.
It added that the two presidents commended the development of bilateral ties between Baku and Tashkent, as well as their satisfaction with the level of implementation of bilateral agreements reached and decisions made regarding the expansion of their cooperation.
Kazakhstan
Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev also congratulated his Uzbek counterpart, describing the election results as vivid evidence of popular support for Mirziyoyev’s course, which, he described as “aimed at ensuring sustainable growth, stability and prosperity of the state.”
“During the conversation, the President of Kazakhstan confirmed his commitment to further deepening Kazakh-Uzbek relations in the spirit of strategic partnership and alliance,” the Kazakh presidency said in a statement, adding that they discussed bilateral agreements and the calendar of upcoming bilateral events over the phone.
Meanwhile, former Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbayev spoke by phone with Mirziyoyev, noting “the progressive development of Uzbek-Kazakh relations” with “deep satisfaction,” the Uzbek presidency said in a separate statement.
Kyrgyzstan
Kyrgyz President Sadyr Japarov over a phone conversation congratulated Mirziyoyev on his victory, calling it “an important indicator of the confidence of the fraternal Uzbek people.”
“The results of the elections confirmed the people’s support for his political course aimed at ensuring the socioeconomic growth of the country,” Japarov was quoted as saying in a Kyrgyz presidency statement.
Japarov expressed confidence in Mirziyoyev’s leadership, saying he will continue to contribute to Uzbekistan’s development and improve its people’s well-being.
“The leaders of the countries also discussed the prospects for further Kyrgyz-Uzbek bilateral cooperation and issues of regional cooperation,” the statement concluded.
Turkmenistan
Mirziyoyev and Turkmen President Serdar Berdimuhamedov spoke on the phone about issues including deepening bilateral relations, a statement from the Uzbek presidency said.
“The President of Turkmenistan sincerely congratulated the Head of our state on the confident victory in the early elections of the President of Uzbekistan held the day before,” the statement said, adding that contacts at all levels were noted with satisfaction.
“The heads of Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan noted the importance of building up comprehensive cooperation and promoting projects of practical cooperation,” the statement added.
In a separate statement issued by the Uzbek presidency, Mirziyoyev also spoke with Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, chairman of the People’s Council of Turkmenistan, who congratulated the Uzbek president on his “convincing victory in the early presidential elections, wishing well-being and prosperity to the fraternal Uzbek people.”
Tajikistan
Tajik President Emomali Rahmon also congratulated the Uzbek president on his reelection with a large majority, expressing his sincere interest in comprehensive, deepening, and enrichment with new practical content.
“The results of this important political event are clear evidence of your high authority, trust, and strong support by the Uzbek people for your strategic course aimed at the progressive socioeconomic modernization of Uzbekistan and the consistent strengthening of its position in the international arena,” the Tajik presidency said in a statement quoting Rahmon.
Rahmon said he is confident that they will continue to make joint efforts to promote the strategic partnership and allied interaction between Tajikistan and Uzbekistan “in accordance with the fundamental interests of our peoples.”
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