Your Excellency!

Let me congratulate you on your re-election as president of the Republic of Uzbekistan.

I am sure that with your renewed mandate, you will be able to continue activities on boosting cooperation between your country and the international community, including, of course, the OSCE, in which Uzbekistan participates as a member possessing equal rights.

Undoubtedly, Uzbekistan’s active involvement in the OSCE’s activities will be increasing. In December 2007, at their last meeting held in Madrid, the OSCE foreign ministers decided to strengthen the organization’s role in Central Asia in the context of the OSCE’s efforts to ensure assistance in Afghanistan. Uzbekistan can play an important role in this process.

I hope that further steps will be made in a constructive and pragmatic way, based on bilateral respect and trust, following the OSCE’s observation of the [presidential] election held on 23 December, including the implementation of certain recommendations of the observer mission. Finally, let me assure you that your country can count on long-term support of the re-appointed coordinator of the OSCE projects in Uzbekistan, ambassador Istvan Venczel.

With the best wishes in the new year,

Sincerely yours,
Marc Perrin de Brichambaut
OSCE Secretary-General