Mirziyoyev states: “Uzbekistan does not need the advice of others”

For Uzbekistan, the interests of multi-ethnic people are paramount, and no one can teach the country a lesson.  The President Shavkat Mirziyoyev stated this at a meeting with activists of the Fergana region.

“I would like to emphasize once again that for Uzbekistan the interests of multi-ethnic people are paramount, and Uzbekistan does not need the advice of others.  We have determined our own way.  Thus, by following this way, we will only aim for the interests of our Motherland, Uzbekistan”, – the president said.

President Mirziyoyev did not specify the reason behind his words.  Also, it was not clear to whom his words were focused.

However, on 29 April, a Belarus citizen, Alexander Lukashenko, met with the governor of the Voronezh region Alexander Gusev and said that the former Soviet republics will gradually join the Russian-Belarusian union.  In some media, Lukashenko’s views have been interpreted as if he is implying that they are the states of Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, and Tajikistan.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Uzbekistan reacted to the misinterpretation of Lukashenko’s statements in the media, stating that Republic of Uzbekistan would continue to pursue its own independent development path, based solely on national interests and would continue to work hard in order to ensure the country’s independence and sovereignty.

“Recently, some foreign publications claiming to be impartial and neutral in the coverage of events have been continuing to disseminate the groundless opinions of some foreign leaders on the expanding the Union State and the accession of the Republic of Uzbekistan to it.  In this connection, we reiterate that such provocative actions, which could damage friendly relations between Uzbekistan and its foreign partners, are not acceptable.