During 23 Oct visit, U.S. Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross met with President Mirziyoyev and hailed Uzbek govt commitment to democratic reforms, calling for close partnership. Russian President Putin 18-19 Oct visited Tashkent, and together with Mirziyoyev launched construction of nuclear power plant in Navoy region; also discussed military technical cooperation, regional security. Mirziyoyev 8 Oct met French President Macron in Paris during his first official visit to Europe. Amid improved bilateral ties between Uzbekistan and Tajikistan, Tajik govt 6 Oct announced start of demining work along Tajik-Uzbek border (see Tajikistan). Mirziyoyev 30 Oct fired VP Zoyyir Mirzayev after film emerged of him humiliating farmers during agricultural inspection trip. Prosecutor general’s office 3 Oct denied reports that late President Karimov’s daughter Gulnara Karimova, who govt in 2017 said had been sentenced to five years jail for tax evasion and other charges, was staying at luxury hotel in Dubai.

Attending meeting of Turkic Council in Kyrgyzstan, President Mirziyoyev 3 Sept said Uzbekistan eager to join organisation. Committee to Protect Journalists 6 Sept criticised govt’s 28 Aug-2 Sept roundup of bloggers, which it said signals that “the country is not serious about improving the environment for press freedom”.

Taliban political chief 6 Aug travelled to Uzbekistan for talks with senior Uzbek foreign ministry officials on Afghan peace process, withdrawal of international forces and Uzbek development projects in Afghanistan; followed President Mirziyoyev’s March offer to broker Afghan peace talks. Kyrgyz-Uzbek intergovernmental committee mid-month reportedly made agreement to swap Kyrgyz Barak exclave (inside Uzbekistan) for land around village of Birleshken in Uzbekistan’s Andijon region, contiguous with border. Mirziyoyev 17 Aug hosted Tajik counterpart in first such visit in seventeen years; signed strategic partnership agreement among others. Mirziyoyev 24 Aug attended meeting of Central Asian leaders in Turkmenistan to discuss environmental degradation of Aral Sea (see Turkmenistan). Justice ministry 30 Aug registered local branch of first foreign NGO (American Councils for International Education) in more than ten years.

U.S. officials visiting Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan 20-23 July met with representatives from all five Central Asian states for meetings under C5+1 format which includes economic and security cooperation.

Kyrgyz defence officials 13 June met with Uzbek counterparts during four-day visit to Tashkent, in first such meeting since countries gained independence in 1991; sides signed agreement to increase bilateral cooperation. Five former senior security officials sentenced 24 June to between fourteen and eighteen years’ imprisonment after being convicted of acts of torture and abuse of office. Govt 18 June extended open invitation to Afghan govt and Taliban leaders to hold direct peace talks on Uzbek territory (see Afghanistan).

President Mirziyoyev visited U.S. 16-17 May, meeting with President Trump, Sec State Pompeo, and Sec Defense Mattis; signed $4.8bn of commercial contracts; committed to continuing cooperation within Northern Distribution Network to Afghanistan. Authorities released several activists and political prisoners from prison ahead of visit, including one journalist and three bloggers who had been on trial charged with anti-constitutional actions for their writings critical of regime; Fahriddin Tillyayev of Freedom Party (Erk) and opposition activist Nuriddin Djumaniazov, released from prison 12 May; and former Justice Minister Ravshan Mukhitdinov, released from prison 15 May. Amnesty International visited Uzbekistan 22-25 May for first time in fourteen years, met with officials and civil society representatives.

Amid ongoing investigations and arrests related to abuse of power and corruption by former senior officials, authorities 30 March barred sons of Rustam Inoyatov, former head of National Security Service (SNB), and Botir Parpiyev, head of State Tax Committee, from leaving country.

President Mirziyoyev visited Tajik capital Dushanbe 9-10 March for historic meeting with President Rahmon, during which they signed 27 bilateral agreements and made joint statement recognising that Tajik hydropower plants benefit region, and that Uzbekistan is ready to participate in construction of Rogun dam (see Tajikistan). Also agreed on 30day visa-free regime for their citizens and re-opening of ten border checkpoints. Arrests and detentions of high-ranking security personnel and members of judiciary on charges including abuse of power and bribery that began late Feb continued. Zakir Almatov, who as former head of interior ministry was in charge of troops who opened fire on protesters in Andijan in May 2005, appointed as adviser to interior minister 27 Feb. Mirziyoyev 14 March signed law reforming and renaming National Security Service.

Following his removal late Jan, Rustam Inoyatov, formerly head of National Security Service (SNB), appointed advisor to president on political and legal issues and member of Senate, granting him legal immunity. Media reported sweeping reforms of SNB, including dismissal of highly trained officers and closure of Department on Combatting Corruption.

PM Aripov 10-11 Jan visited Tajik capital Dushanbe in preparation for historic milestone visit to Tajikistan by President Mirziyoyev planned early spring, in effort to end tensions over disputed territories and water resources (see Tajikistan). FM Abdulaziz Kamilov 15 Jan met UN Secretary-General António Guterres in NY to discuss cooperation; 16 Jan met U.S. National Security Adviser, discussed bilateral security cooperation; 19 Jan announced Tashkent will hold high-level international conference on peace in Afghanistan in March under framework of Kabul Process. Russian foreign minister 15 Jan said Russia welcomes improved cooperation with Uzbekistan. Long-serving National Security Service chief Rustam Inoyatov replaced by former prosecutor general Ikhtiyor Abdullayev 31 Jan.