Acting president Shavkat Mirziyoyev elected President in 4 Dec election with 88.6% of vote; turnout reported at 87.83%. OSCE reported election “devoid of genuine competition”; EU called for continuation of “significant reforms” made ahead of election. Mirziyoyev 7 Dec proposed introducing direct elections for regional governors and city mayors, currently appointed by president. Mirziyoyev 14 Dec introduced as new PM former Deputy PM Abdulla Aripov, dismissed in 2012 after being associated with corruption scandal involving late President Karimov’s daughter Gulnara. Aripov’s cabinet revealed 15 Dec; among other changes, previously influential finance minister Rustam Azimov replaced. Mirziyoyev 23 Dec met with visiting Kazakh FM Erlan Idrisov.

Acting President Mirziyoyev’s efforts to repair relations with Uzbekistan’s neighbors continued with progress on demarcation along Uzbek-Kyrgyz border, and optimism regarding Uzbek-Tajik border. Following meeting between Tajikistan’s ambassador to Uzbekistan, and Uzbekistan’s foreign ministry 14 Nov, both sides committed to negotiations over disputed areas; Tajik media reported sides’ intention to complete demarcation by end of 2016. Foreign Ministry 13 Nov reported Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan have reached provisional agreement on 56 disputed areas along their shared border since 2010. Mirziyoyev 14 Nov congratulated Kyrgyz PM Sooronbai Jeenbekov on his re-appointment and expressed “enormous optimism” about border negotiations. Former MP Samandar Qoqonov, known as country’s longest-held political prisoner, released after 23 years’ imprisonment. Preparations underway for 4 Dec presidential election.

Ahead of Dec presidential elections, acting President Mirziyoyev led efforts to repair relations with neighbouring countries. Govt 26 Sept signed agreement with Turkmenistan to increase trade; FM and Tajik President Rahmon meeting in Dushanbe 29 Sept pledged to restore railway and air connections, increase economic cooperation; Kyrgyz delegation 1 Oct visited Andijan, met Uzbek Deputy PM Adkhan Ikramov; Uzbek delegation 26 Oct visited Osh, Kyrgyzstan. President 11 Oct highlighted need to increase trade and cooperation with Afghanistan.

President Karimov officially declared dead 2 Sept, buried in Samarkand next day. PM Shavkat Mirziyoyev chosen by parliament as acting president 8 Sept; apparent support from political and security elites prompting expectation among observers that he will be formally elected president during 4 Dec presidential election, with broad continuity with his predecessor’s policies. Border guards services reported their withdrawal from Ungar-Too Mountain, border area disputed with Kyrgyzstan, 18 Sept.

Govt 28 Aug reported long-serving President Karimov, 78 years old and rumoured to be seriously ill, had been hospitalised. Amid growing speculation over his state of health, Karimov’s youngest daughter Lola 31 Aug reported he was recovering from a brain hemorrhage. Tensions increased with Kyrgyzstan after Uzbekistan 22 Aug detained four Kygyz nationals in disputed border area. Five Central Asian FMs met with U.S. Sec State Kerry in Washington DC 3 Aug under multilateral C5+1 format (see Kazakhstan).

FM Abdulaziz Kamilov and senior Chinese official met in Tashkent 7 June, discussed relations both bilaterally and through Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO). At SCO summit 23-24 June in Tashkent, leaders discussed regional security and situation in Afghanistan. Turkish authorities reported one of three suspected Islamic Stateaffiliated suicide bombers responsible for 28 June Istanbul airport bombing was Uzbek.

Taliban 1 May attacked Uzbek border post, from Balkh province, N Afghanistan.

President Karimov 25-26 April visited Moscow, said Russia should be involved in Afghan peace talks (see Afghanistan); President Putin said both countries support creation of international anti-terrorist coalition.

Tensions with Kyrgyzstan rose as 40 Uzbek border troops and armoured vehicles entered disputed border area 18 March, unilaterally closing a check-point on Kyrgyz-Uzbek border in Jalalabad province. Kyrgyzstan responded sending 40 troops, followed by 200 troops on 20 March. Kyrgyz State Border 21 March said number of Kyrgyz and Uzbek troops had been reduced, situation stable. Kyrgyzstan 22 March initiated special intergovernmental Collective Security Treaty Organisation Permanent Council meeting to address tensions. Uzbek troops withdrew 26 March.

Police in restive Ferghana Valley complained over wage arrears early Jan; followed protests drawing hundreds mid-Dec over lack of gas, electricity and heating in Margilan and Ferghana. New law charging 7.5% tax on earnings above $21 minimum monthly wage came into force 1 Jan. FM Kamilov 19 Jan met U.S. Asst Sec State Nisha Desai Biswal in Washington, reportedly discussed political development, regional stability/security, trade and development.