Title: Reaffirming United States-Uzbekistan relations.
Policy area: International Affairs

Summary:
This resolution reaffirms the commitment of the United States to the independence, territorial integrity, and sovereignty of Uzbekistan. It also recognizes Uzbekistan's progress in recent years on important political, economic, democratic, and social reforms.

[Congressional Bills 117th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 415 Introduced in House (IH)]

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117th CONGRESS
  1st Session
H. RES. 415

            Reaffirming United States-Uzbekistan relations.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                              May 19, 2021

   Mr. Kelly of Mississippi (for himself and Mr. Vicente Gonzalez of 
 Texas) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the 
                      Committee on Foreign Affairs

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
            Reaffirming United States-Uzbekistan relations.

Whereas the Republic of Uzbekistan declared its independence from the Soviet 
        Union on September 1, 1991;
Whereas the United States established diplomatic relations with Uzbekistan in 
        1992, and has developed a strong strategic partnership since then;
Whereas the Declaration on the Strategic Partnership and Cooperation Framework 
        between the United States and the Republic of Uzbekistan, signed in July 
        2002, established a principled framework for mutually beneficial 
        relations in the political, economic, military, military-technical, 
        humanitarian, and other areas and recognized the importance of 
        consistent implementation of democratic and market reforms in 
        Uzbekistan;
Whereas Uzbekistan's ongoing regional initiatives aimed at strengthening 
        stability and economic cooperation over the past 5 years in Central Asia 
        contribute greatly to the stability of the region;
Whereas Uzbekistan's ``National Development Action Strategy on Five Priority 
        Areas 2017-2021'' laid out an ambitious plan to promote good governance, 
        judicial reform and rule of law, economic liberalization, social 
        development, religious tolerance and interethnic accord, and a balanced 
        and constructive foreign policy;
Whereas the official visit of President Mirziyoyev to the United States in May 
        2018, launched a new era of strategic partnership between the United 
        States and Uzbekistan;
Whereas the November 2020, Annual Bilateral Consultations held in the District 
        of Columbia resulted in a wide range of agreements to further develop 
        bilateral cooperation, including on issues such as combating 
        international terrorism, regional security including Afghanistan, 
        bilateral trade and investment, education, health, cybersecurity, and 
        promote further reform in Uzbekistan on human rights, combating 
        trafficking in persons, religious freedom, civil society, and 
        independent media;
Whereas United States assistance to Uzbekistan is aimed at improving livelihoods 
        of citizens through support to enhancing overall economic conditions, 
        addressing the threats of infectious disease and transnational crime, 
        increasing citizens' access to justice and input into government 
        decision making, promoting the rule of law, public education reform, 
        defense cooperation, and encouraging government efforts that ensure 
        respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms;
Whereas the creation of the Congressional Uzbekistan Caucus in the House of 
        Representatives has led to burgeoning dialogue between American and 
        Uzbekistani political leadership;
Whereas the deepening of ties between the State of Mississippi and Uzbekistan 
        through the National Guard's State Partnership Program has led to 
        increased levels of military cooperation;
Whereas the Government of Uzbekistan provided support to the United States in 
        the aftermath of the September 11, 2001, attacks on the United States 
        and was a key partner in supporting international efforts in Afghanistan 
        and providing critical access and support to drive al-Qaida terrorists 
        from Afghanistan; and
Whereas Uzbekistan has demonstrated a willingness to strengthen bilateral 
        cooperation with the United States, share burdens, and address regional 
        issues, including stability in Afghanistan, and thereby has fostered an 
        environment of political and economic cooperation: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
            (1) reaffirms the enduring commitment of the United States 
        to the independence, territorial integrity, and sovereignty of 
        Uzbekistan;
            (2) recognizes the progress that Uzbekistan has made in 
        recent years on important political, economic, democratic, and 
        social reforms;
            (3) recognizes the election of Uzbekistan to the United 
        Nations Human Rights Council for the period of 2021 through 
        2023, the first time in the country's history, and encourages 
        the Government of Uzbekistan to use this position to actively 
        promote human rights and hold accountable those who do not 
        respect them;
            (4) welcomes the elevation in December 2020, of the United 
        States-Uzbekistan Annual Bilateral Consultations to a Strategic 
        Partnership Dialogue;
            (5) recognizes the efforts of the Government of Uzbekistan 
        to strengthen regional dialogue and cooperation, opening new 
        possibilities for intraregional commerce and cooperative 
        approaches to challenges in Central Asia, including by means of 
        the Food and Agricultural Organization Regional Conference for 
        Europe, held virtually on November 2, 2020, and the 
        ``Uzbekistan in the Context of Regional Security and Global 
        Changes'' conference held in Tashkent on November 7, 2019;
            (6) welcomes the ambitious reform program of the Government 
        of Uzbekistan aimed at improving the human rights situation in 
        Uzbekistan, advancing anticorruption measures and increasing 
        transparency in the judicial system, strengthening the 
        accountability of public servants, promoting freedom of 
        expression and freedom of the media, eliminating trafficking in 
        persons including forced and child labor in the cotton harvest, 
        and ensuring religious freedom;
            (7) calls for deeper economic cooperation between the 
        United States and Uzbekistan that will increase trade and 
        create new business opportunities in the fields of agriculture, 
        energy, financial services, tourism, health, and digital 
        innovation;
            (8) supports the establishment of Webster University 
        Tashkent, the first American university in Uzbekistan, as well 
        as the accreditation of the American Councils for International 
        Education in Uzbekistan, and encourages the further development 
        of educational cooperation between the two countries, including 
        through fostering academic and research partnerships between 
        United States and Uzbekistan universities and through expanding 
        English language training and STEM programs in public education 
        in Uzbekistan;
            (9) underscores the importance of cooperation between the 
        United States and Uzbekistan in multilateral formats in Central 
        Asia, including the C5+1 regional format;
            (10) underlines the emerging role of Uzbekistan as an 
        economic leader in Central Asia as demonstrated by its hosting 
        of the Central Asia Trade Forum and the United States-Central 
        Asia Trade and Investment Framework Agreement (TIFA);
            (11) appreciates the efforts of the Government of 
        Uzbekistan to support the peace process and social and economic 
        development in Afghanistan including through the Afghan-led 
        peace and reconciliation process, supporting railway and 
        electricity infrastructure development in Afghanistan, 
        educating Afghan youth, and partnering with the United States 
        to address illicit drug trafficking and weapon smuggling; and
            (12) looks forward to the continued development of strong 
        bilateral relations between the United States and Uzbekistan, 
        as well as to further democratic, political, economic, and 
        social reforms in Uzbekistan.
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