UZBEKISTAN-SCO: COOPERATION IN STRATEGIC INTERESTS AND DEVELOPMENT

Muhayyo Soliyeva PhD Student, Tashkent State University of Oriental Studies. ...................................................................................................................... Manuscript Info Abstract ......................... ........................................................................ Manuscript History Received: 20 September 2020 Final Accepted: 24 October 2020 Published: November 2020


ISSN: 2320-5407
Int. J. Adv. Res. 8(11), 840-845 841 state visit of the President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev to the People's Republic of China in May 2017, more than 100 documents worth a total of $ 23 billion were signed. The fruitful talks between the leaders of the two countries opened the door to new strategic opportunities for further enhancing cooperation in trade, investment and technology, transport communications, hydropower, and humanitarian spheres [2].

The Main Part
Shavkat Mirziyoyev, who attended the SCO summit in Nur-Sultan for the first time as head of state in 2017, stressed the importance of strengthening trade and economic ties, improving the transport component of the organization, and called on railway administrations to develop regional transport links, and, had proposed the creation of a mechanism for meetings of leaders. This initiative was successfully implemented, and as a result, two meetings of the heads of railway departments were held in 2018-2019, the Action Plan of this mechanismfor 2020-2022 and the SCO railways. The concept of cooperation between the two administrations were approved by the Uzbek side [3].
It should be noted that in 2017, the SCO Council of Heads of State adopted an important document -the Tashkent Declaration, which reflects the results of 15 years of the SCO and its priorities for further development. In the Action Strategy for the five priority areas of development of the Republic of Uzbekistan for 2017-2021, the country's position on further liberalization of the economy, the attraction of foreign investment, as well as the priorities of a well-thought-out, mutually beneficial, and practical foreign policy are talked about. The goals of this strategy are fully consistent with the main directions of the SCO's activities on security and sustainable development. The Action Strategy focuses on further deepening cooperation in the field of transport and communications, which is also in the interest of the SCO member states. The implementation of joint projects in this area will allow the creation of a multifaceted system of international transport corridors connecting Asia and Europe.
The important strategic tasks outlined by the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev at the Qingdao Summit in June 2018[4]are as follows: 1. effective use of transit potential; 2. Implementation of interregional transport projects under the "One Belt, One Road" initiative; 3. Construction of the Mazar-e-Sharif-Herat, China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan railway lines; 4. Accelerated launch of the China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan railway project; 5. Holding the first meeting of the heads of railway agencies of the SCO member states in Uzbekistan; 6. Establishment of the SCO International Transport and Logistics Association.
At a time when the SCO is expanding, the President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev has identified the most important tasks aimed at creating a new environment of good neighborliness and solidarity, both in Central Asia and in the SCO space. Uzbekistan's initiatives play an important role in further developing the SCO, increasing its economic and political potential, and strengthening its international influence. In the Qingdao Declaration, the participating states supported the initiative to adopt a special resolution on "Enlightenment and Religious Tolerance" put forward by Uzbekistan at the 72nd session of the UN General Assembly. The results of the Tashkent Conference on Afghanistan "Peace Process, Security Cooperation and Regional Partnership" held in March this year were also hailed as a significant contribution to the process of peace and stability in the country [5].
Uzbekistan has always taken a principled position in the fight against terrorism, extremism, and radicalism. These threats need to be tackled not only by strong methods but, above all, by education, especially among young people. The statement of President Shavkat Mirziyoyev that the Joint Address of the SCO Youth Council to the Youth and the Action on the Implementation of its Rules can be the main driving force of the program is of practical importance. Uzbekistan intends to be one of the most active participants in organizing its work.
It is gratifying that the Uzbek-Chinese interstate international relations within the SCO are developing in the interests of both sides. But there are also points that blur the situation. The recent uncompromising policy of the Sunni Muslims of the People's Republic of China towards the Uyghurs, a national minority very close to the peoples of Central Asia, has drawn strong criticism from around the world. Although the government of the People's Republic of China released a state report on the issue in March 2019, it is only natural that every international legal expert who reads it carefully will have questions. Of course, this is likely to affect the reputation of the organization. First of all, given that this issue is a domestic policy of the state, external interference may not always have a 842 positive impact on the situation. Special attention should be paid to finding a solution to this issue within the organization and ensuring peace and stability between each member state.
It will serve to further strengthen the capacity of this system of Uzbekistan to address the tasks set in the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, strengthen the regulatory framework of the association and increase its prestige in the world arena.
Of particular importance are the talks in July 2019, which put forward initiatives to expand practical cooperation within the SCO, which set out proposals to address a number of pressing issues raised by the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev. It is necessary to pay attention to the following important factors in the negotiation process, which was attended by delegations of observer states and international organizations, as well as SCO member states. 1. Intensification of competition in the world market, the emergence of environmental and demographic imbalances, the persistence of the threat of terrorism, extremism, and transnational crime and the fight against them; 2. Forming a coordinated security policy; 3. Adoption of the "road map" of the SCO-Afghanistan dialogue group; 4. Development of a concept for the implementation of "smart" agriculture and agro-innovation; 5. Wide introduction of resource-saving and environmentally friendly technologies; 6. Adoption of the SCO "green belt" program; 7. Annually declare one of the member states' cities as the SCO's tourist and cultural capital. 8. Development of economic relations within the SCO; 9. Combating climate change; 10. Introduction of green technologies; 11. Strengthening cooperation in the field of information technology.
"The Uzbek-Kyrgyz-Chinese" railway construction project is one of the most important projects in the practical negotiations in 2019, which will undoubtedly give a strong impetus to trade and investment flows. Also, the implementation of the above-mentioned initiative proposals depends on the joint efforts of the members of the organization. The construction of theChina-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan railway [6], put forward by the Uzbek side, will become one of the most promising routes connecting China with The Middle East and Europe. It is no exaggeration to say that the launch of the first block train on theChina-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan multimodal transport the corridor from Lanzhou railway station in Gansu Province (China) on June 5, 2020 was an important event.
In this regard, the initiative of Uzbekistan to form the SCO International Transport and Logistics Association are also noteworthy. This proposal is very relevant in the context of the agreements on the launch of a new transport corridor "Tashkent-Andijan-Osh-Irkeshtam-Kashgar", where trade and logistics centers are being built, which will contribute to the development of transit potential and trade promotes the development of interregional economic cooperation.
Afghan partners are also interested in transporting goods to the corridor from Mazar-e-Sharif to Andijan and then to China by road and rail. In addition, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, and China plan to launch a new 1,422 km road Tashkent-Termez-Dushanbe-Kashgar.
Nowadays, the SCO is at a fundamentally new stage of its development, and at this stage, the SCO will undoubtedly be strong only if each of us is strong [7].
It is known that Uzbekistan has a special position among the SCO member states. In this regard, the speech of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan at the summit of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization on November 10, 2020, and the proposals made for the development of the organization are of particular importance.
Speaking of practical cooperation and diplomatic relations between the SCO and Uzbekistan, it is important today to pay attention to the following negative effects. 1. A sharp decline in trade and economic relations and, as a result, a decrease in production; 2. The breadth of unemployment caused by the spread of the pandemic around the world; 3. Intolerance resulting from the escalation of the military-political situation in some regions of the world; 844 Further strengthening security cooperation: 1. Adaptation of the SCO Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure to the solution of fundamentally new tasks; 2. Multiplying the practical dialogue of the competent authorities; 3. development of new cooperation mechanisms; 4. a regular discussion of the situation; 5. combating risks and threats in the information space; 6. Strengthening peace and stability in the SCO region.

Expected initiatives:
International Conference "Central and South Asia: Regional Interdependence. Threats and Opportunities" to be held in April 2021 in Tashkent; On the eve of the 20th anniversary of the organization, an international conference "The role of the SCO in the modern system of international relations".
The proposals developed at the initiative of Uzbekistan and with its active participation will certainly bear fruit. Each of the SCO member states has its own strategic interests, and it is these interests that motivate the countries to work towards a common goal. In turn, the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, which is gaining leadership in modern international relations, has a number of important tasks, in which the position of Uzbekistan has a special place. Because Uzbekistan, which plays a geo-strategically important role, plays a key role in ensuring peace between neighboring countries, and the fact that it has its own historical experience in this area, the member states of the organization One of its important achievements is the formation of good neighborly relations between the two countries, the strength of cultural harmony and cooperation for development.

Conclusion:-
In conclusion, it can be said that the practical cooperation between Uzbekistan and the SCO, the planned plans, all the proposals put forward for the effectiveness of the current tasks will not fail to bear fruit. While the SCO, which covers a large part of the world's population, today demonstrates its leadership skills, it is worth noting the role of the Republic of Uzbekistan, which contributes to its development. In turn, given the epidemiological situation, it is even more important for Uzbekistan to develop cooperation within the organization. Here are a few factors that can cause this: First, the problems in the economy caused by the pandemic can be solved through joint cooperation.
Second, it is possible to establish a common mechanism between the member states to make the projects that are expected to be implemented more effectively, and thus direct everyone to a common goal.
Third, in order to strengthen peace and combat security, it is necessary to develop training programs on the exchange of military skills with member states, including Uzbekistan.
Fourth, in order to achieve good results in the field of economy, it is necessary to emphasize the practical importance of the transport project.
Fifth, it would be expedient to develop education among young people and increase the number of programs produced by specialists in the field, taking into account the potential of young people.