UPDATE 2 - Regional, world leaders congratulate Uzbek president on reelection

UPDATES WITH STATEMENT FROM IRANIAN PRESIDENCY, CHANGES HEADLINE, DECK, MINOR EDITS

By Burc Eruygur

ISTANBUL (AA) – Several regional and global leaders on Monday congratulated Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev on his reelection for a seven-year term following an early election on Sunday.

According to preliminary results, Mirziyoyev received 87.05% of the votes 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 the incumbent president to run for reelection after two consecutive terms.

Following the vote, Mirziyoyev announced early polls, which the election commission decided to hold on July 9.

- Russia

Russian President Vladimir Putin congratulated his Uzbek counterpart on his reelection victory during a phone conversation, said a statement 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 win, 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, in a phone call, described the victory as "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,” 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 described the election results as vivid evidence of popular support for Mirziyoyev’s course “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.

Former Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbayev also spoke with Mirziyoyev, pointing out "the progressive development of Uzbek-Kazakh relations" with "deep satisfaction."

- Kyrgyzstan

Kyrgyz President Sadyr Japarov also spoke to Mirziyoyev over phone, and called the win it "an important indicator of the confidence of the fraternal Uzbek people."

The election's results "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, 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 also 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.”

- Hungary

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, in a phone conversation with Mirziyoyev, said the success is a "clear indication that the Uzbek people are committed to the stability created by President Mirziyoyev and the reforms implemented," according to a statement.

Orban said his government continues to work in developing Hungarian-Uzbek relations, both politically and economically.

"Viktor Orban and Shavkat Mirziyoyev were pleased to note that a number of Hungarian companies have already made a significant presence on the Uzbek market, for example in the banking sector, communication and trade," the statement concluded.

- Belarus

Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko also held a phone conversation with Mirziyoyev, during which he congratulated his counterpart on his reelection victory.

"Taking the opportunity, Alexander Lukashenko and Shavkat Mirziyoyev checked their positions on the agenda of bilateral cooperation," read a statement by the Belarusian presidency.

It said that the two presidents noted the importance of maintaining momentum in the development of bilateral relations, "including by using the potential of interstate integration associations such as the SCO, the EAEU and the CIS."

- Iran

In his congratulatory note, Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi expressed hope that bilateral relations would develop "in line with the mutual interests of the two nations and the expansion of regional and international peace and security."

Raisi said he hoped this would take place "based on the cooperation roadmap and the agreements reached" between Iran and Uzbekistan.