In the best Realpolitik tradition, the President of Uzbekistan, Shavkat Mirziyoyevwas received with full honors Germanyjust two days after redeeming the authorization from constitutional changes what it actually did life guide his country. In fact, at the end of April, she found in the Central Asian Republic a referendum which profoundly influenced the Uzbek Constitutional Charter. Ensuring a higher level of protection rights and social benefits to the citizens of the state, but also by reviewing the term of office of the President. The latter, only once considered renewable, has actually been expanded seven years from the previous five, resetting the current situation. In this way, Mirziyoyev, who will complete his current second term in 2026, will be able to run again given the authoritarian nature of the regime he inherited from his predecessor Islam Karimov stay in 2016 in power by 2040.
Coming back to the Uzbek leader’s visit to Berlin, the fact that it was organized so soon after the referendum was passed indicates Mirziyoyev’s influence on the domestic political sphere and his willingness to immediately capitalize on the current situation, by positioning himself as such reformist leader and for the openingUzbekistan outward. In Germany he met the Federal President Frank Walter Steinmeier and with the chancellor Olaf Scholzas well as with leading personalities of the German economy (agreements were signed for the 9th billion euro). The latter is an essential element considering that Mirziyoyev advocates a model based on tentative political and social openings accompanied by far more significant advances from an economic point of view.
It must also be said that the current geopolitical situation has meant that neither in any European country nor overseas has a critical voice been raised in relation to the constitutional changes that the Uzbek President strongly wished to introduce himself to for almost two decades to guarantee power. only theosc She went so far as to criticize the climate in which the referendum took place. It is indeed too important Tashkent remains at least equidistant in between Brussels And Fly: The latter, in turn, becomes the protagonist of a diplomatic frenzy in Central Asia This is unprecedented due to visits and constant phone calls as the region’s republics are among the few that have remained at least neutral on the Ukraine affair.
Talk about Russiathe current silence regarding Uzbekistan clashes with the criticism voiced as of July 2020 Putin had brought about similar constitutional changes, which also formally made it possible to occupy the rooms of the Kremlin until 2036. In this case, theEuropean Union had officially asked Moscow to investigate the reports Voting irregularities. Not only that: Brussels has also criticized the content of the reform, for example the amendment that guarantees Russian law legislative primacy in international commitments. Attention to the regime that runs Uzbekistan has not been shown, at least for the moment.
In fact, Mirziyoyev’s agenda is very busy. After the visit to Germany, the meeting awaits him China with Xi Jinping, along with the other presidents of the Central Asian republics. Very important appointment considering that the President of the People’s Republic it will outline Beijing’s strategy for the area. A significant event that is part of a continuity of relations considering how much China has invested in Central Asia in recent years and how much it cares about the countries of the region privileged interlocutors on the international stage, also due to political affinities.
Less routine, although Italy has also expanded its role in the region in recent years, is the visit Mirziyoyev will hold in June instead Rome. Meetings at the highest level are expected, considering that the Uzbek leader will hold talks with the president of the republic if not rejected Sergio Mattarellawith the Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and with the foreign minister Antonio Tajani. In this case, too, the deepening of the political partnership and the strengthening of trade relations are on the table.
Rather than provoking criticism of a leader increasingly in control of the domestic political sphere, approval of the referendum in Uzbekistan appears to have had the opposite effect. The willingness of numerous chancellery offices – because it is conceivable that Mirziyoyev will make many trips abroad in the coming months – to develop relations with a political figure with whom it will probably be necessary to come to terms for the next two decades. A figure at the helm of a country that is anything but secondary: in fact, Uzbekistan has almost 40 million inhabitants, a growing economy and borders all other Central Asian republics, including theAfghanistan. factor, the latter what makes it one Cornerstone of regional security.
awareness that there is one too Washington. US Secretary of State, Anton Blinkenvisited the region in March and reiterated the attention it is being given United States Conferment of sovereignty andterritorial integrity from local partners, but almost leaves the question of rights and democratic openness off the table. As realpolitik dictates.