The development of relations with the CIS countries and institutions is one of the important priorities of Uzbekistan's foreign policy.

Since the formation of the CIS, Uzbekistan has consistently strengthened fruitful cooperation with the participating countries in all directions, participates in the development of transport and communication networks, economic ties, both in multilateral and bilateral formats.

Within the framework of the Commonwealth, Uzbekistan actively participates in the activities of its 65 sectoral structures, the objectives of which meet national interests and are of practical interest to our country. The Institute of the Permanent Mission of Uzbekistan to the CIS is actively working.

Since 2017, Uzbekistan has significantly intensified its activities within the framework of the Commonwealth.

Over the past seven years, Uzbekistan has joined 24 previously signed multilateral documents, 22 decisions of the supreme bodies of the CIS and more than 20 bodies of sectoral cooperation.

As a result of the participation of President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev in meetings of the Council of Heads of State in 2017-2023, 90 different proposals for the development of cooperation within the CIS were put forward, and Roadmaps were adopted to ensure their timely and full-scale implementation.

Thanks to the support of the member states of the Commonwealth, more than 80 initiatives have been put into practice to date.

The exchange of visits at the highest and highest levels with the CIS countries has intensified, which also testifies to the commitment of states to unlocking the vast diverse potential of the Commonwealth, maintaining multilateral dialogue and cooperation, peace and stability in the Eurasian space.

Despite modern challenges, Uzbekistan manages to ensure positive dynamics in cooperation in all areas within the CIS. The structural compatibility of economies contributes to the successful development of extensive production and cooperation, trade and economic ties, cooperation in mechanical engineering, energy, chemical, pharmaceutical, textile and other industries. In recent months alone, more than 800 new enterprises have been launched with partners from CIS countries.

Uzbekistan's foreign trade turnover with the CIS countries in 2023 reached $ 20.6 billion, of which exports amounted to $8.1 billion, imports - $ 12.4 billion. In the first seven months of this year, bilateral trade with the Commonwealth countries increased by more than 15% compared to the same period last year and reached $15 billion.

An even more valuable resource is that the CIS states and peoples share a common cultural and historical heritage and numerous humanitarian ties. And today, these factors continue to remain strong and reliable strongholds of the Commonwealth. Cultural ties are developing intensively. Festivals, concerts, fairs, sports and other events are held on a regular basis.

The active position of Uzbekistan as a member of the association contributes to the qualitative content and strengthening of comprehensive cooperation, the initiatives put forward by the head of our state are widely supported and implemented within the framework of the format.

Thus, in recognition of the effectiveness of Uzbekistan's youth policy and the effectiveness of international initiatives in this direction, Tashkent was declared the Youth Capital of the Commonwealth in 2024.

Another high assessment of the contribution to the development of multilateral cooperation within the CIS was the awarding of the President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev with the CIS Badge of Honor at the meeting of the CIS heads of state on October 13, 2023 in Bishkek.

This year, as part of the implementation of the main initiatives of Uzbekistan, a Protocol decision was adopted by the 101st meeting of the CIS Economic Council on the possibility of starting negotiations between the States parties to the 2011 Free Trade Zone Agreement on access to the public procurement market, an Action Plan was adopted to optimize infrastructure and develop international transport corridors passing through the territories of the participating states The CIS for the period up to 2030.

On September 26, a representative international conference of analytical centers of the CIS member states on the topic "A new agenda for long-term cooperation" was organized in Tashkent. As noted at the conference, the CIS for Uzbekistan are natural partners, neighbors and friends with whom our country shares a common space of development and security. And Uzbekistan is fully aware of our common responsibility for the effective development of the Commonwealth, on which, of course, the future of the whole of Eurasia depends.

There is no doubt that the results of the CIS summit in Moscow will contribute to improving the practical effectiveness of multilateral cooperation in the Commonwealth of Independent States for the benefit of the prosperity of the countries and peoples of the organization.

IA "Dunyo".