Uzbekistan : Uzbekistan's reform course support

let us remember: for Decades, Uzbekistan was solidified under the rule of longtime autocrat Karimov. Domestically, the Despot Karimov relied increasingly on Repression - in terms of foreign policy, he was isolated even within the Central Asian Region, most recently to a large extent.

are Now broken out in Uzbekistan on the night of democracy and pluralism. But there are clear signals of change are visible, and for the people, specifically, experience. In the centre of the political debate, the implementation of the reform agenda of the President, the "strategy for the development of Uzbekistan 2017-2021." The topics range from the strengthening of public control of state authorities on the liberalization of criminal and criminal procedural law to the promotion of innovative enterprises and the reduction of the control of the religious life.

An increase in the number of Acquittals by Uzbek dishes, as well as a reduction of the prison inmates are the first positive developments. In the last year have been re-released several people from prison who were incarcerated previously, having been wrongly accused of extremism. This also includes the prominent and critical of the government, the Journalist Bobomurod ahmarova, the slander and the preparation of a state had been accused of coup d'état. In may of 2018 for the first Time in 14 years, a Delegation from Amnesty International, the country was able to travel to and progress in the people is stated in law, is another positive indication. Nevertheless, it must not be overlooked that, despite some progress, further large deficits in matters of law enforcement and freedom of expression in Uzbekistan.

in terms of Foreign policy, Uzbekistan has pursued since the inauguration of Mirsijojew a policy of regional Opening up and cooperation. Thanks to his Initiative, it came in March of last year in Astana the first Meeting of all the Central Asian presidents since the age of 13. Special international attention, the country learned through the initiation of a UN Resolution on enhanced cooperation in the Region of Central Asia, as well as through active Engagement in the peace process in Afghanistan, the Uzbek government is also reaching out to the Taliban. Germany supports this process for a sustainable development, as well as the security and stability including the greater involvement of Afghanistan.

at the end of November 2018 have been included in the official negotiations on an Enhanced partnership and cooperation agreement (ePKA) between the EU and Uzbekistan. Germany shares the common interest in closer cooperation between the EU and Uzbekistan. Also, the fact that the EU strategy is working on the revision of the EU-Central Asia-to be completed in the course of this year, 2019, is supported by us strongly. Germany was already in the development of the first Central Asia strategy in 2007, one of the driving forces.

The EU supports efforts to achieve stability, democratic reforms and modernization. Germany is especially in the area of rule of law promotion and the development of a regional water policy ("Berlin process") is active, the different interests of the Central Asian countries are trying to reconcile. This will also contribute to regional conflict prevention.

Also on the economic level, the course of Reform is unmistakable. President Mirsijojew competed mainly with an economic reform agenda to stabilize the economically stagnant country. This is also urgently needed, as two-thirds of the population are under 35 years of age. To a radicalization due to lack of prospects of preventing, creating many new jobs.

In the case of economic modernization relies in particular on foreign investment. A further step towards the economic Opening of the country's planned accession to the WTO represents, after the accession process was interrupted for 15 years. The economic reforms increased the attractiveness for investment, led to high Inflation and have not yet brought about the hoped-for revival in the labour market. The GDP growth also fell in the second year of their Mirsijojews lower than in the previous year. Therefore, the social situation remains tense. The average salary in Uzbekistan amounted to 2017 of around 150 euros – too little to live on.

Germany is a focus of the EU activities, especially on the areas of sustainable development, as well as security and stability in Central Asia. Important topics will also be in future issues of the promotion of the rule of law, regional Integration, regional water management, and education. In view of the desired modernisation of the labour market and the introduction of innovative technologies, it will be necessary to increase the level of education. We agree, therefore, economic policy advice of the Uzbek government to support the course of reforms and a high-level expert advice in the research and innovation policy send.

Germany and Europe should make their contribution to assist Uzbekistan in its reform course, and at the same time, further reforms in the political and human rights policy in the area of urge. It is also in our interest to Uzbekistan and the entire Region can prosper economically and allow a radical Islamist tendencies of the breeding ground is removed.

Nils Schmid, foreign policy spokesman of the SPD group in the Bundestag.

President of Uzbekistan's Authoritarian ruler, Islam Karimov, has died