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Address by H.E. Mr. Islam Karimov at the First Session of Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan
(Second Convocation)
Our supreme task is independence and prosperity of Motherland, freedom and welfare of people.
Dear compatriots,
Honorable Members of Parliament,
Distinguished guests,
Before I shift to setting forth the main guidelines of our further activities, I would like from this distinguished rostrum to express the words of sincere
and heartfelt appreciation to all voters and all our people for a high confidence you have placed on me having elected as the President of the country.
I would like these words to be taken not as a formal phrase, on the contrary, as the words that come from the bottom my heart.
I consider my election to this honorable post not as a personal victory or achievement, but as a support extended to the consistent foreign and internal
policies underway since the years of our independent development, as yet another evidence of our people's firm conviction in the rightness of the way they have chosen.
In the course of pre-election campaign, at the meetings with voters and simple citizens, listening to sincere words of people who have undergone many trials
in their lives and seen different leaders, to put it short, those who have undergone many ordeals, unwillingly a man's heart is waved with such feelings and emotions that one can hardly
express by words.
Taking this opportunity, on this historic day which will remain in our memory for ever, I would like to say to our nation the following: I will always highly
value and appreciate this great trust placed on me and keep it in my heart for ever. I cannot even imagine my life without you. Your destiny is my destiny. Your happiness is my happiness.
Dear friends,
It is quite natural that having gathered at the First Session of our country's Parliament (II Convocation), based on the experience gained since the early
years of independent development, we ought to determine the principal goals and tasks of the state and public development, the objectives of reforms and social progress of paramount and
vital importance. To put it in a simpler way: we must identify the objectives and essence of our activities to be accomplished in the coming future.
We are assigned to fulfill this task as the elected representatives of the people, to whom the citizens entrusted their destiny and future of the country,
their welfare and tranquillity, safeguarding and strengthening peace and stability in each home and the region as a whole.
Our main strategic objective remains unchangeable: building an open and democratic state with market economy and formation of foundation for a civil society.
To put it short: avoiding a blind copying of the developed nations' experience and model, we are to achieve the level and quality of living these countries
have reached, to ensure the democratic way of development in the country, where all rights and freedoms, welfare and decent living standards are guaranteed for each individual, irrespective
of their nationality, faith and convictions.
Meanwhile, we are to maintain the commitment to our true national traditions, our sacred religion and national values.
What kind of tasks should we set forth to obtain these final goals at the new phase of reforms and revival of our society?
What issues must be in the focus of attention on the part of the government, public institutions and local authorities, on what spheres our parliament should
concentrate in the forthcoming period?
I. In the political sphere:
At the present stage of our society's reformation we will have to enrich the process of democratization of public life with a new content. It is essential to
create an efficient system of state and public governing which would ensure the irreversibility and advanced pace of democratic reforms.
In this respect, there are the following main objectives:
First. Liberalization of all aspects of political life, as well as the state and public building. While carrying out this process we will have to establish
the appropriate conditions for upgrading political and economic activity of citizens, when each individual might manifest their capacity. Formation of the balance of interests in society,
strong mechanism of checks and balances that would guarantee the sustainable and progressive development of society and the freedom of choice for each person.
Second. To secure the multiparty system to enter our life in real terms. Each political party based on social strata, the interests of which it represents,
should develop a clear and precise program of actions that would determine the concrete objectives and guidelines and alternative options for public development. The true multiparty system
means diversity of views and ideas, it is the political space for parties to compete, in particular, with involvement of opposition parties.
Third. The further enhancing and developing the non- governmental and public institutions, the bodies of citizens self- governance.
One should emphasize that the developed structure of non- governmental and public organizations is designed to provide and maintain the balance of interests
in society, as well as to be complementary and stand as a certain counterbalance to the government bodies. With promotion of political consciousness, political culture and activity of
citizens, there should be a consistent pass of governmental functions to non-governmental institutions and the citizens self-governing bodies. In this context, it is getting more important
to entrust greater rights and upgrade the role and significance of self-governing bodies - makhalla (local community) - in social life. This makes up the very essence of our efforts aimed
at creating the solid foundation of civil society.
Fourth. Ensuring pluralism and diversity of opinions and freedom of their expression. I would like to repeatedly stress that in our society the mass media
ought to become an independent and real "fourth branch of power" and the most efficient tool in implementing political rights and freedoms of citizens. In the first instance, it
refers to the freedom of expression, access to information and an active participation in discussions on the vital issues of state and public building.
Fifth. Further enhancing and promoting the human rights and freedoms and democratic values in the people's minds. It is essential to create every condition
for formation of a free individual who is aware of their rights, relies on their own abilities, has independent opinion on the developments around us and in parallel harmoniously combine
their personal interests with the interests of the nation and people. At the same time, it is necessary to follow up with improving the system of governmental and public institutions called
to protect the human rights and freedoms.
II. In the sphere of state-building and governing:
Firstly, to ensure the constitutional principle of separation of power, to reinforce the controlling functions and increase responsibility of the legislative
bodies - Oliy Majlis and representative local authorities - provincial, city and district councils (kengash) - for unconditional implementation of Constitutional and other legal authorities
and duties. To ensure in practice the independence of judicial branch of power. Meanwhile, speaking about the problems of state building, we must clearly understand that the power of a
state is not in excessive concentration of authority within the system of state governing and not in reinforcing the functions of state apparatus in the role of suppression and enforcement
body. The power of a state is in its ability to secure the conditions for a free functioning of democratic institutions, for implementing the whole spectrum of political and social
potential both citizens and society and for formation of the essential prerequisites for the freedom of entrepreneurship and economic initiative.
Secondly, to increase the efficiency of the administrative reforms underway. Nowadays, in our country we have developed a quite efficient system of
administrative separation and subordination of governing structures, their vertical and horizontal links are determined. Many of excessive bureaucratic parts of governing, the state and
departmental structures that laid an obstacle in implementing the democratic and market reforms, were disbanded.
Along with this, one should admit that this entire system of governing in the center and on site does not operate as a single and well-coordinated mechanism
where each part of a chain knows its functions and authority and fulfills them on the professional level.
As a rule, instead of tackling the urgent and perspective problems of development in the field of economy and entrepreneurship, the problems of social
progress and protecting the human rights, we witness a thoughtless controlling and administration by mere injunction. The executors who grew up during the period of command-bureaucratic
system do not display the due independence, initiative and responsibility in decision making, expecting the commands from above.
We cannot put up with the facts of extortion and corruption in the governmental bodies and law-enforcement agencies that discredit the state power before the
people's very eyes.
It should take entire society to tackle these shameful phenomena.
I am speaking about establishing such a well-coordinated and efficient system based on democratic principles that would operate in full conformity with the
existing Constitution and legal acts, would not depend on the subjective will of this or that, even the most outstanding, leaders or functionaries, but would seize all those negative and
conservative phenomena that put barriers in advancing our society forward.
This is to be accomplished not through the revolutionary leaps, but through the evolutionary development on the basis of common human and national
civilizations.
Thirdly, proceeding from these principles, we should improve the system of personnel rotating, selecting the best people from among the best ones and, in the
first instance, not in words, but in practice we should promote the talented and creative young people possessing the modern knowledge and devoted to their Motherland,
In all periods of history it was not an easy task and, as a rule, there were manifestations of subjectivism, mercenary, regionalism, clan relations, nepotism
and many other vices of human being.
I am confident that there is no miracle cure. Together with a broad public we should work over setting up an objectively functioning mechanism of searching
and selecting the personnel.
In this respect, arranging at the leading scientific, educational and departmental centers the direct and distant seminars or workshops on the most urgent and
key issues of political, economic and spiritual development of our country, is of a great importance.
Such seminars are to be hold not on one time, but on permanent basis, so that as many talented people as possible might take part in them.
III. In the economic sphere:
Firstly, the consistent implementation of the course aimed at further liberalization and deepening the reforms in all branches and sectors of economy. It
means expanding the freedom and economic independence of enterprises, abolishing the outstanding barriers in developing businesses.
The main task of liberalization in economy is, first of all, reduction of controlling and regulatory functions of government, limitation of its interference
into the economic activity of enterprises, primarily, into the operations of private businesses. The private businesses must be given even more freedom. More freedom must be given to
market, to the market mechanisms of economic regulation. For this, the crucial legal framework, the organizational and economic prerequisites and guarantees must be created.
The special attention is to be given to deepening the processes of institutional reforms, further reforming the financial and banking systems, setting up a
developed market infrastructure and formation of the environment for competition. We must considerably enhance the banking system and increase the liquidity and level of banks'
capitalization. The banks should stand as the main part in the investment process and in practice become the true partners of enterprises interested in their development.
The priority importance should be given to developing all institutions of market infrastructure that are directly linked with businesses, i.e. consulting,
marketing, engineering, leasing, insuring and other structures.
The liberalization of economy is inseparably linked with liberalization of external economic activity and, primarily, of the currency market. Nowadays, the
main guideline is to develop and consolidate the commercial currency market and increase the hard currency reserves of commercial banks themselves.
We should create all conditions for achieving the crucial task, i.e. to provide current account convertibility of the national currency. Along with this, it
is of a special importance to create the necessary guarantees that would protect the population and enterprises against the negative consequences of currency exchange rate fluctuations and
to accumulate the hard currency reserves of the government in the amounts sufficient to ensure a stable exchange rate.
Secondly, the further deepening the process of privatization and formation on this basis of the genuine class of owners. Involvement in the process of huge
and structuring enterprises. We advocate the development of diversified economy, in which the scale and share of private ownership should irreversibly grow. The world experience shows that
the predominance of the class of true owners is a guarantee of stability and well-being in the society.
Thirdly, we should create even more favorable legal environment, provide guarantees and economic stimuli for a broad attraction of foreign investments into
the country's economy, especially direct investments. It is necessary to ensure that the foreign investments actively participate in the structural reforms in our economy, intensification
of the technical re-equipment and modernization of the production. It is required to carry out even more active and systematic work with the potential foreign partners, create new joint
ventures orientated towards production of modern commodities able to compete in the world markets. We should make Uzbekistan's market even more attractive for all those who intend to do
business in our country.
Fourthly, the development of the small and medium size business is to become a priority. It is necessary to make sure that small, medium and private business
not only takes a predominant place in the gross domestic product output, but also becomes a vital source of well-being and the growth of the income of the population and employment. The
extensive processing of row and agricultural resources, saturation of the internal market by the consumer goods and the sector of services stand as the main spheres for the small and medium
businesses.
It is necessary to create maximally favorable conditions for the establishment and effective functioning of the small and medium size enterprises. To this
end, the procedure of setting up the small and medium enterprises is to be streamlined; the mechanism of constant accessibility to the raw material and credit resources, equipment and
materials by the entrepreneur structures, is to be liberalized. It is important to strengthen everyday interaction of the small and medium size entrepreneurs with the banking and other
market institutions, as well as big enterprises and make them genuine partners. We should pay more attention to the creation of markets and mechanisms for selling the production by the
small and medium size enterprises, both inside the country and outside the country. The main task is to protect the small business from interference into its activity by different
supervising structures, which instead of providing assistance and concrete help, impede their development. It is very important to train and prepare a qualified management personnel for the
small business and upgrade its economic and legal culture.
Fifthly, development and strengthening the export potential, promotion of the extensive transformation of the economy into the global economic system. We must
succeed in increasing significantly the volumes and diversifying the export of the end products in all branches of economy, firmly establishing ourselves in the world markets and occupying
the place we deserve.
To this end, we should, in addition to the acting system of stimuli and advantages, effectuate the whole complex of measures aimed at promoting the
industries' export orientation, stimulating the expansion of production volume and exports of the competitive products.
Sixthly, purposeful implementation of structural reforms in economy directed towards further strengthening the economic independence of the country, more
rational and efficient utilization of the vast natural, mineral and raw material and human resources, intellectual and technical potential. The production with the complete technological
cycle that provides output of ready-made products and extensive processing the mineral and agricultural raw materials, should occupy a predominant place in the economy.
The priority should be granted to the development of the industries based primarily on our own natural and raw material potential, using the state-of-the-art
technology, the industries producing the items able to compete both on the domestic and international markets.
The special attention should be paid to development of services and upgrading their role in the economic structure. This sector is capable not only to provide
employment, especially in the rural area, but also increase the income of the population, and, most importantly, it will affect the level and quality of the people's life. This is so far a
potential that we have not been using to its full extent.
IV. In the spiritual sphere:
Firstly, our main task in this sphere is a consistent continuation of such good deeds we started during the years of our independence, as revival of national
values, deep realization of our identity, formation of the national idea and ideology, restoration of our sacred religion's deserving place in the spiritual life of our people. It is
important to upgrade this work into a qualitatively new level and increase its efficiency.
In the focus of our attention there should be the enhancement of spirituality not by using a high-flown and pompous words and appeals, but by practical deeds
accomplished bearing in mind the particularities typical to every social category and population groups. The prime aim of our work in this direction is formation of spiritually rich,
morally integral and harmoniously developed individual, who will posses an independent world view and thinking, based both on the invaluable heritage of our ancestors and universal values.
Secondly. The core and essence of the ongoing democratic reforms in our society, under the conditions of emerging multiparty system and pluralism, should be
freedom of expression and opportunity for each citizen to defend their opinion. I am equally convinced that such good aims and tasks as securing peace and stability in this country, making
Motherland flourish and bringing well-being and prosperity to this people, should become genuinely the sacred ones for every person living in this blessed land.
These noble aims should fully become the main content of the national ideology which is being developed nowadays as a basis for a social and spiritual
progress in the country. Promotion and enrichment of the national ideology, on the basis of a proper marriage of our national spiritual values as well as achievements of modern
civilization, remain to be a burning task for our scholars, philosophers, political scientists and entire scientific community of this country in general.
Thirdly. We hold dear our religion, the religion of our ancestors which constitutes our faith, moral, conscience, and finally, the basis of our spiritual
enlightenment. Respect and devotion to our religion is the eternal value to us.
In this connection, I would like to reiterate yet again: never shall we renounce our sacred faith. At the same time, never shall we reconcile with those
individuals and forces who defame our sacred religion, striving to use it for their ignoble, low and mercenary political aims.
Fourthly. Deeply understanding the core, content and genuine significance of the fact that the Year 2000 is declared as the Year of Healthy Generation, we
should upgrade this work to the state policy status and turn it into a really national movement. It is important to continue and upgrade the work that has been started on enhancement of the
role and place of a family, mothers and women in the life of our society. Fifthly. The implementation of the National Program on personnel training is yet another most urgent issue of the
day. Consistent continuation and acceleration of the efforts underway will remain our priority task. Its implementation is the most significant duty of the governmental and public
organizations in the center and peripheries, and, first of all, that of leaders at all levels. It should not be forgotten that this issue is a decisive criterion in evaluation of their
activity. Sixthly. Yet another most important task of ours is to promote the development of the languages, culture, customs and traditions of all nationalities and ethnic groups living in
Uzbekistan, further expand the potential and enhance the conditions available in this sphere. It is the sacred duty of every one of us to preserve with vigilance the interethnic accord and
stability prevailing in our country.
Seventhly. Such unique human values, that are coterminous to such noble customs of our ancestors, as respect for the elderly and care about the young, are to
be enriched and consolidated by new content as well as practical deeds.
To preserve, develop and adhere to such traditions as the constant respect for our grandfathers and fathers, receiving their blessing and caring for our
children, that are inherited by our people and have been preserved during the centuries, is a must for each of us.
V. In the judicial sphere:
First. Adopted codes, laws and norms that determine the meaning and content of the law-governed state should be given a critical evaluation. On this basis,
the list of those prime laws and norms that must be adopted to fill in the judicial field indispensable on the way toward the state with a rule of law, is to be made.
Second. At all levels of state and public building and governing the necessary steps should be taken to create a system of securing unconditional execution of
adopted laws and norms. This, first of all, concerns those law-enforcement and supervising bodies that are due to safeguard the observance of law.
Third. The court system is to be reformed so that to ensure the independence of the courts as the full-fledged and self-reliant branch of power. Credible
equality of prosecution and defense during the court process is to be ensured. To this end, the status of the advocates institute is to be upgraded. In the course of court reform it is
essential to carry out the specialization of judges who will consider criminal and civil cases. The organizational aspects of these issues should be settled. This will, undoubtedly, enhance
the quality and tempo of the judicial process and, what is more important, ensure fairness in the judicial decision-making.
Fourth. The broad-based implementation of the program on upgrading the level of law-awareness and judicial culture of citizens, especially the youth, is to be
assured so that every citizen of our country would know their rights and be able to defend them.
VI. In the sphere of foreign policy:
The foundation of the Uzbekistan's foreign policy will be comprised of such universal principles as the priority of national interests, the norms of
international law, equality and non- interference into the internal affairs of other states, resolution of all disputes by peaceful means and negotiations.
The fundamental tasks in the course of pursuing the foreign policy remain unchanged. The most important vectors in Uzbekistan's external policy for the coming
period are as follows: Firstly, to maintain peace and stability and safeguard security in Central Asia. Our initiatives today are directed to explain to the broad public the increasing
danger caused by creeping expansion and penetration of religious extremism, fanaticism and international terrorism into the region.
It is necessary to take the concerted measures in cooperation with the neighboring countries to neutralize this serious danger that threatens peace,
stability, interethnic accord, traditional friendship and mutual understanding between the peoples and states of our region.
The implementation of the initiative to create a nuclear weapon free zone in Central Asia stands as a vital condition to ensure regional security.
We express our gratitude to the UN, nuclear powers and other interested states for their constant assistance and participation in designing the Central Asian
Nuclear Weapon Free Zone Treaty. Secondly, we are well aware of the fact that the settlement of the Afghan problem will be a time-consuming affair, which, in its turn, makes persistent the
threats and determines the expansion of the scales of such dangerous phenomena as international terrorism, drugs and arms trafficking to the whole region and beyond.
In this respect, we consider the Tashkent Declaration on Fundamental Principles of the Peaceful Resolution of the Conflict in Afghanistan, adopted by the
states of the 6+2 Group, to be a universal program of actions in searching peace and stability in the multiethnic Afghanistan. We thank the UN for adopting the Tashkent Declaration as an
official UN document. We have all grounds to hope that the positive approach on the Afghan problem demonstrated by the new administration of Pakistan may have a favorable impact on its
settlement.
Thirdly, we are convinced that the attainment of objectives and aims to build a prosperous democratic state with a developed market economy is directly
correlated with the broad-scale integration of Uzbekistan into the international community.
Intrinsic part of this integration is in establishing close links with the most developed nations of the world, strengthening cooperation with the leading
international economic, financial and humanitarian organizations.
Further developing and deepening the multifaceted relations with such a leading power of the world as the USA with their huge political, economic,
military-technical and intellectual potential, is of a great importance for us.
We will further continue our efforts to develop and strengthen the relations with leading countries of Europe. We attach an exclusively great significance to
the implementation of the Partnership and Cooperation Agreement with the European Union, as it makes available the broad opportunities for economic, scientific, technical and cultural
links, as well as for a regular political dialogue. It is with great satisfaction that we note the growing dynamism of our multilateral relations with the countries in the Asian region,
first of all, with Japan and the Republic of Korea, as well as strengthening the links with our great and friendly neighbor - the People's Republic of China.
The traditional historical, economic and cultural ties with Russia have always been of a defining significance for Uzbekistan and the region as a whole. I
would like to emphasize that the new opportunities to develop many-sided cooperation and strategic partnership on the basis of equality and mutual benefit that present themselves to our
countries, are in the mutual interests for both sides.
VII. In the sphere of security:
We are well aware that the democratic and socioeconomic reforms, spiritual progress of people, as well as the integration of Uzbekistan into the international
community are unthinkable unless the fundamental objective, i.e. ensuring the country's security, preserving peace, stability, interethnic and civil accord in the society, are resolved.
Today our region is attracting attention of different extremist forces and centers that strive to undertake the expansion of religious extremism and
international terrorism, to divert the states of the region from the democratic and secular path of development with a due rule of law. The drugs and arms trafficking represent a credible
threat not only on the region, but also on the entire world.
The current developments in the region and in the world urge us to create a system of security that would be able to guarantee in real terms the
non-violability of our borders, territorial integrity of the country, stability and sustainable development of Uzbekistan. In this respect, the followings are of a vital importance for
providing national security of our country:
First. Strengthening mutual understanding, coordination and unity of efforts, potential and capacities of the Central Asian states to prevent and neutralize
the external and internal threats to peace, stability and security of nations living in this region.
It is an imperative to take steps to increase the awareness of people and stimulate the activity of the public in the countries of the region to prevent those
threats. It is important to constantly explain people that infiltration and proliferation of political and religious extremism, fanaticism and other radical movements, that are alien to the
traditions and mentality of our peoples, conceal a great danger for peace, well-being and future of our children. By concerted efforts, establishing and strengthening the noble moral and
spiritual values in the people's minds, it is important to consolidate them for a resolute struggle against this evil.
I would like to emphasize that the paramount condition of regional security is further strengthening the centuries-long spiritual and cultural bonds among
different nations and ethnic groups that inhabit Central Asia.
Second. The comprehensive extending the economic cooperation in the Central Asian region. We must concert our efforts in creating and implementing concrete
economic projects, first of all, in the field of exploitation of rich mineral resources of the region, energy and water resources, transport communications, construction of gas and oil
pipelines, resolution of ecological problems, i.e. the issues that concern all the countries of Central Asia. It would not only produce a substantial socioeconomic boost, but also promote
security, stability and sustainable development of the entire region.
Third. The stage by stage and systematic reforming of the army, border and internal troops based on a single state policy. We have to form a mobile,
self-sufficient and well equipped, professionally trained Armed Forces, that would conform to the highest requirements and be capable to defend peace and tranquillity of our country in an
efficient and reliable way.
Forth. Further strengthening and developing the State borders. The entire system of protection and defense of the State borders should ensure the territorial
integrity, prevent infiltration through the borders of terrorist groups and subversive elements and safeguard economic and other interests of Uzbekistan.
Fifth. Based on the fundamental principle of indivisibility of security, to continue the efforts in implementing the initiative of Uzbekistan on establishing
International Center for Combating Terrorism, as well as our proposals to boost the role of international institutions in preventing and neutralizing the threats capable to blow up the
stability and peace in Central Asia.
Sixth. The reforming the system of law enforcement agencies and strengthening its links with the public. In ensuring the public order, it is necessary to
significantly upgrade the role of the self-governing bodies, first of all, that of makhalla (local community). It is important to concentrate the efforts of the makhalla committees and
citizens in detecting and eliminating the reasons and conditions conducive to committing crimes and other offenses in the people's habitats.
To guarantee the public order and security, we must fully realize the significant potential of such civil institutions as "Chegara posbonlari" (the
Border Protectors) and "Makhalla posbonlari" (the Community Protectors), promote their popularity, provide the training and interaction with the border troops and law-enforcement
agencies.
It is important that people comprehend the inseparable link between ensuring the public order, their personal safety and increasing their own watchfulness and
an active participation in what is happening around them. It is necessary to promote the involvement of the population in eliminating the short spirituality, crime, extremism in all its
manifestations, securing peace and stability in our common home.
My dear compatriots!
Today our country, our people are on the threshold of great accomplishments. We are entering a new century as a free nation, as an independent and strong
state. Let us not forget that the prosperity of our beloved Motherland as well as our decent future will depend solely on us.
Let us hope that the heroic efforts of our diligent people will make the new century a century of genuine progress, well-being, peace and prosperity for our
entire multiethnic country.
My dear friends!
There is no greater happiness for any person, than to enjoy trust and respect of his people. Today, standing on this podium, from the deep of my heart, I
would like to bow to my diligent, creative, openhearted and wise people for the honor and trust that they have rendered to me.
My sacred dream and the very essence of all my life is to continue the reforms underway to renovate our society, guarantee the decent life to all who live on
this land. There is no greater happiness for me but to see satisfaction, joy and smiles on the faces of our people. I wish all of you a good health and well-being for your families. Let
peace and open sky prevail over our heads. Let God Almighty help us to make our dreams come true.
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