Mending Fences?

Uzbekistan could be heading back towards a multi-vector foreign policy, as visits by Japan and the EU suggest a restoration of some form of diplomatic ties with the West may be on the cards from next year. At the same time, Tashkent will likely continue improving its relations with Russia and China - countries that did not turn their backs on President Islam Karimov after the Andijon violence. Like all the other Central Asian states, boosting ties with various states can benefit economic development and political stability, though balancing friendships with such ideologically diverse nations will require shrewd diplomacy.

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