Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) - An expert discussion on the topic “Where Uzbekistan is going” has been organized on the Israeli Internet TV channel ITON.TV on the latest transformations and elections to the Legislative Chamber of the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan, Dunyo reports.

It was attended by the president of the International Expert Center for Electoral Systems, Alexander Zinker, as well as the editor-in-chief of the media Alexander Ronkin, who were among the international observers at the parliamentary elections in Uzbekistan.

The TV show began with information that Uzbekistan became the country of the year that achieved the greatest progress in 2019, according to the British magazine The Economist. According to The Economist, Uzbekistan still has a long way to go, but this year "no other country has come so far."

When asked how far Uzbekistan has come and what has changed so much in the republic, A. Zinker replied that since the first time he participated in observing elections in Uzbekistan in 2007, there have been great positive changes in the country. According to him, a big leap forward and accelerated reforms in all areas occurred after President Shavkat Mirziyoyev came to power in 2016. It was the new President of Uzbekistan who began to build relations and work with the population in a new way, who had a chance to ask questions and address his problems to senior management, which is unprecedented in the history of the country.

He also emphasized that the first steps of the head of Uzbekistan after the election was a visit to neighboring countries, which is the right approach. Despite many controversial issues between the countries of Central Asia, Shavkat Mirziyoyev managed to establish business partnerships with all states of the region, the expert said.

In recent years, branches of many foreign universities in Uzbekistan have opened, and Uzbek youth, who make up more than 50 percent of the population, have begun to receive higher education, which is a potential investment for the future of the country.

Speaking about the recent parliamentary elections in Uzbekistan, A. Zinker noted the OSCE’s changed attitude to these political events, which sent 30 observers earlier, and this time more than 300.

When asked what are the innovations of these elections, held under the motto “New Uzbekistan - new elections”, the expert replied that, firstly, these elections were fair and transparent. Secondly, re-elections are scheduled at more than 20 polling stations, which indicates a fair fight between the parties.

He added that the absence of opposition parties in Uzbekistan should not adversely affect the honesty of the elections, since the sudden appearance of such a party can have unpleasant consequences, while Uzbekistan is in the process of forming opposition political parties and in the future they will have the opportunity to participate in such important events .

Ronkin, in turn, when asked about the validity of the change in attitude to freedom of speech in Uzbekistan, replied that “the air of freedom of speech” is felt in the country today. According to him, when other post-Soviet countries “tighten the screws” for journalists, bloggers and turn off the Internet, Uzbekistan is on the way back.

At the same time, experts particularly welcomed the opening of access to a number of Internet sites, including Ozodlik, BBC, which is a confirmation of the decisive intention of the country’s leadership to ensure freedom of speech in the country.

Ronkin emphasized the exclusion of quotas for seats for representatives of the Ecological Movement of Uzbekistan, “heated” debates between parties, as well as discussions between people about candidates.

In general, Israeli observers reacted positively to ongoing reforms in Uzbekistan. In their opinion, the country is confidently moving towards its goal.