TASHKENT, 15 April 2021 - OSCE Chairperson-in-Office, Swedish Minister for Foreign Affairs Ann Linde, concluded her official visit to Uzbekistan on 14 April.

Chairperson-in-Office Linde met with President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, Foreign Minister Abdulaziz Kamilov and Senate First Deputy Chair Mr. Sadiq Safaev. She discussed the national programme 'Action Strategy for Further Development of Uzbekistan for 2017-2021' and expressed the OSCE's continued support to implement this programme, which has a series of comprehensive domestic reforms largely in line with OSCE commitments.

Minister Linde discussed the priorities of the Swedish Chairpersonship, with its emphasis on defending the European security order and upholding the OSCE concept of comprehensive security. The interrelatedness between political and economic security, human rights, democracy, the rule of law and equality constitute the very foundation of this concept

Linde commended the strengthened co-operation between the OSCE and Uzbekistan and stressed the importance of the work of the OSCE Project Co-ordinator in Uzbekistan (PCUz) across all three dimensions of security. Linde also highlighted the PCUz's support in the implementation of recommendations of the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights, for example on fostering gender equality and assistance in promoting the rights of persons with disabilities.

Chairperson-in-Office Linde also met with representatives of civil society and expressed the Chairpersonship's support. Civil society engagement and empowering the voices of civil society is a priority of the Swedish Chairpersonship.

'As Chair, Sweden will draw on the expertise of civil society to ensure that their contributions inform all aspects of security,' Linde said.