ÖZBEKİSTAN’IN MİRZİYOYEV ÖNDERLİĞİNDEKİ DIŞ POLİTİKASI: OTONOMİYİ SÜRDÜRME MÜCADELESİ

Year 2022, Volume: 9 Issue: 1, 25 - 43, 10.06.2022

Fatma Aslı Kelkitli

https://doi.org/10.16985/mtad.1087202

Cited By: 1

Abstract

Bu çalışma Özbekistan’ın Şevket Mirziyoyev’in cumhurbaşkanlığı dönemindeki dış politikasını Rusya, Amerika Birleşik Devletleri (ABD), Çin gibi ileri gelen güçler ayrıca Orta Asya Cumhuriyetleri ve Türkiye ile ilişkilerine odaklanarak incelemektedir. Makale, Özbekistan’ın Mirziyoyev devrinde temel prensipleri eski cumhurbaşkanı İslam Kerimov tarafından belirlenmiş olan dış politikada çok vektörlü çizgiye bağlı kalmaya devam ettiğini savunmaktadır. Yine de Mirziyoyev de diplomatik teatilerin arttırılması, çoktaraflı toplantıların düzenlenmesi, sınır anlaşmazlıklarının çözülmesi ve ulaşım bağlantılarının yeniden başlatılması yoluyla Orta Asya Cumhuriyetleri ile yeniden ilişki kurarak Uzbekistan’ın dış politikasına damgasını vurmuştur. Ayrıca özellikle ekonomik alanda Özbekistan’a yeni fırsatlar sunan önemli bir bölgesel güç olan Türkiye ile bağları yeniden kurmuştur. Makale ayrıca Ağustos 2021’deki askeri çekilmenin ardından ABD’nin Orta Asya’daki etkisinin gitgide artan bir şekilde azalmasının ve Afganistan’ın hızlı bir şekilde Taliban tarafından ele geçirilmesiyle güçlenen bölgede artan endişenin Rusya ve Çin’in Özbekistan’da güvenlik ve ekonomi alanlarında daha baskın roller oynamalarına yardım edebileceğini bunun da ülkenin dış politikada özerkliğini sürdürme çabasını baltalayabileceğini iddia etmektedir.

Keywords

Orta Asya, Özbekistan, Dış Politika, Mirziyoyev, Otonomi

UZBEKISTAN’S FOREIGN POLICY UNDER THE LEADERSHIP OF MIRZIYOYEV: STRUGGLE TO SUSTAIN AUTONOMY

Abstract

This study explores Uzbekistan’s foreign policy during the presidency of Shavkat Mirziyoyev by focusing on its relations with the leading powers such as Russia, the United States (U.S.), China as well as the Central Asian Republics, and Turkey. The article argues that Uzbekistan, during the Mirziyoyev era continues to adhere to the multi-vectoral line in foreign policy whose main principles have been determined by the former President Islam Karimov. Yet, Mirziyoyev has also left his imprint on Uzbekistan’s foreign policy by reengaging with the Central Asian Republics through augmentation of diplomatic exchanges, organization of multilateral gatherings, resolution of border disagreements and resumption of transportation links. He also restored ties with Turkey, a significant regional power that presented new opportunities for Uzbekistan especially in the economic realm. The article also claims that the progressive decline of the U.S. impact in Central Asia in the wake of military withdrawal from Afghanistan in August 2021 and the growing apprehension in the region buttressed by the rapid Taliban takeover of Afghanistan may help Russia and China to play more dominant roles in Uzbekistan in security and economic domains which might undermine its endeavour to sustain autonomy in foreign policy.

Keywords

Central Asia, Uzbekistan, Foreign Policy, Mirziyoyev, Autonomy

References

• Referans 1: Anceschi, Luca, “Integrating Domestic Politics and Foreign Policy Making: The Cases of Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan”, Central Asian Survey, XXIX/2, (2010), pp. 143-158.
• Referans 2: Dadabaev, Timur, “The Chinese Economic Pivot in Central Asia and Its Implications for Post-Karimov Reemergence of Uzbekistan”, Asian Survey, LVIII/4, (2018), pp. 747-769.
• Referans 3:___________, “Uzbekistan as Central Asian Game Changer? Uzbekistan’s Foreign Policy Construction in the post-Karimov Era”, Asian Journal of Comparative Politics, XX/10, (2018), pp. 1-14.
• Referans 4:___________, “De-securitizing the “Silk Road”: Uzbekistan’s Cooperation Agenda with Russia, China, Japan, and South Korea in the Post-Karimov Era”, Journal of Eurasian Studies, XI/2, (2020), pp. 174-187.
• Referans 5: Fazendeiro, Bernardo Teles, “Keeping Face in the Public Sphere: Recognition, Discretion and Uzbekistan’s Relations with the United States and Germany, 1991-2006”, Central Asian Survey, XXXIV/3, (2015), pp. 341-356.
• Referans 6:___________, “Uzbekistan’s Defensive Self-reliance: Karimov’s Foreign Policy Legacy”, International Affairs, XCIII/2, (2017), pp. 409-427.
• Referans 7: Fumagalli, Matteo, “Alignments and Realignments in Central Asia. The Rationale and Implications of Uzbekistan’s Rapprochement with Russia”, International Political Science Review, XXVIII/3, (2007), pp. 253-271.
• Referans 8: Hermann, Charles F., “Changing Course: When Governments Choose to Redirect Foreign Policy”, International Studies Quarterly, XXXIV/1, (1990), pp. 3-21.
• Referans 9: Jardine, Bradley – Edward Lemon, “In Russia’s Shadow: China’s Rising Security Presence in Central Asia”, Kennan Cable, LII, (2020), pp. 1-15.
• Referans 10: Kazemi, Leila, “Domestic Sources of Uzbekistan’s Foreign Policy, 1991 to the Present”, Journal of International Affairs, LVI/2, (2003), pp. 205-216.
• Referans 11: Romashov, Vadim, “Uzbekistan’s Balancing Act: A Game of Chance for Independent External Policies”, The Regional Security Puzzle around Afghanistan: Bordering Practices in Central Asia and Beyond, Helena Rytövuori-Apunen (ed.), Verlag Barbara Budrich, Leverkusen 2016, pp. 161-190.
• Referans 12: Saud, Adam, “Changing Dynamics of Uzbekistan’s Foreign Policy under Shavkat Mirziyoyev: Prospects for Central Asian Regional Economic Integration”, Central Asia Journal, LXXXII, (2018), pp. 1-35.
• Referans 13: Spechler, Dina Rome – Martin C. Spechler, “Uzbekistan among the Great Powers”, Communist and Post-Communist Studies, XLII, (2009), pp. 353-373.
• Referans 14:___________, “The Foreign Policy of Uzbekistan: Sources, Objectives and Outcomes: 1991-2009”, Central Asian Survey, XXIX/2, (2010), pp. 159-170.
• Referans 15: Azernews, “Uzbekistan, Turkey Sign Set of Documents in Military Sphere”, 27 July 2017, https://www.azernews.az/region/116756.html [Accessed: 07.09.2021].
• Referans 16: Bekmurzaev, Nurbek, “What to Expect from Uzbekistan’s New Concept of Foreign Policy?”, Central Asian Bureau for Analytical Reporting, 6 February 2019, https://cabar.asia/en/what-to-expect-from-uzbekistan-s-new-concept-of-foreign-policy [Accessed: 31.08.2021].
• Referans 17: Belt & Road News, “Tashkent’s Regional Policy under Mirziyoyev”, 21 May 2021, https://www.beltandroad.news/tashkents-regional-policy-under-mirziyoyev/ [Accessed 04.09.2021].
• Referans 18: Buranelli, Filippo Costa, “3rd Meeting of Central Asian Leaders: A Small Step toward the Formation of a Regional Order?”, The Diplomat, 12 August 2021, https://thediplomat.com/2021/08/3rd-meeting-of-central-asian-leaders-a-small-step-toward-the-formation-of-a-regional-order/ [Accessed: 04.09.2021].
• Referans 19: Daily Sabah, “Turkey, Uzbekistan Eye $5B in Bilateral Trade”, 8 April 2021, https://www.dailysabah.com/business/economy/turkey-uzbekistan-eye-5b-in-bilateral-trade [07.09.2021].
• Referans 20:___________, “Turkish, Uzbek Defense Ministers Sign Military Agreement, Underline Further Defense Cooperation”, 27 October 2020, https://www.dailysabah.com/politics/diplomacy/turkish-uzbek-defense-ministers-sign-military-agreement-underline-further-defense-cooperation [Accessed: 07.09.2021].
• Referans 21: Dzamukashvili, Soso, “Future of China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan Railway Remains Uncertain”, Emerging Europe, 10 August 2021, https://emerging-europe.com/news/future-of-china-kyrgyzstan-uzbekistan-railway-remains-uncertain/ [Accessed: 04.09.2021].
• Referans 22: Eurasianet, “Despite Drop, China Maintains Edge as Uzbekistan’s Top Trade Partner”, 27 January 2021, https://eurasianet.org/despite-drop-china-maintains-edge-as-uzbekistans-top-trade-partner [Accessed: 02.09.2021].
• Referans 23: Hashimova, Umida, “Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan’s Divergent Responses to Regional Border Conflict”, Eurasia Daily Monitor, XVIII/84, 26 May 2021, https://jamestown.org/program/uzbekistan-and-kazakhstans-divergent-responses-to-regional-border-conflict/ [Accessed: 04.09.2021].
• Referans 24:___________, “Uzbekistan and Tajikistan Engage in Joint Military Exercises”, The Diplomat, 23 March 2020, https://thediplomat.com/2020/03/uzbekistan-and-tajikistan-engage-in-joint-military-exercises/ [Accessed: 04.09.2021].
• Referans 25:___________, “Uzbekistan Increasingly Turns to China for Development Loans”, Eurasia Daily Monitor, XVI/118, 4 September 2019, https://jamestown.org/program/uzbekistan-increasingly-turns-to-china-for-development-loans/ [Accessed: 02.09.2021].
• Referans 26: Interfax, “Uzbekistan Not to Abandon Nonalignment Policy-Foreign Minister”, 8 December 2016, https://interfax.com/newsroom/top-stories/29810/?sphrase_id=38595 [Accessed: 31.08.2021].
• Referans 27: Limanov, Oleg, “Uzbekistan-China Relations during the Covid-19 Pandemic”, Central Asian Bureau for Analytical Reporting, 1 June 2020, https://cabar.asia/en/uzbekistan-china-relations-during-the-covid-19-pandemic [Accessed: 02.09.2021].
• Referans 28: Mashrab, Fozil, “Uzbekistan Accords Turkmenistan Status of Closest Neighbor and Partner”, Eurasia Daily Monitor, XIV/36, 16 March 2017, https://jamestown.org/program/uzbekistan-accords-turkmenistan-status-closest-neighbor-partner/ [Accessed: 04.09.2021].
• Referans 29: Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of China, “Uzbekistan President Shavkat Mirziyoyev Meets with Wang Yi”, 2021, https://www.fmprc.gov.cn/mfa_eng/zxxx_662805/t1892609.shtml [Accessed: 02.09.2021].
• Referans 30: Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Uzbekistan, “Foreign Policy of the Republic of Uzbekistan”, 2021, https://mfa.uz/en/pages/vneshnaya-politika [Accessed: 29.08.2021].
• Referans 31: ___________, “Joint Statement by the President of the Republic of Turkey Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev”, 2018, https://mfa.uz/en/press/news/2018/joint-statement-by-the-president-of-the-republic-of-turkey-recep-tayyip-erdogan-and-the-president-of-the-republic-of-uzbekistan-shavkat-mirziyoyev---20233 [Accessed 06.09.2021].
• Referans 32:___________, “Meeting with the U.S. Special Representative for Afghanistan Reconciliation”, 2019, https://mfa.uz/en/press/news/2019/meeting-with-the-us-special-representative-for-afghanistan-reconciliation---22815 [Accessed: 04.09.2021].
• Referans 33:___________, “Meeting with the U.S. Special Representative for Afghanistan Reconciliation”, 2020, https://mfa.uz/en/press/news/2020/meeting-with-the-us-special-representative-for-afghanistan-reconciliation---27339 [Accessed: 04.09.2021].
• Referans 34:___________, “The Position of the Republic of Uzbekistan on the Situation in Ukraine and the Crimean Issue”, 2014, https://mfa.uz/en/press/news/2014/the-position-of-the-republic-of-uzbekistan-on-the-situation-in-ukraine-and-the-crimean-issue---9029 [Accessed: 31.08.2021].
• Referans 35:___________, “The State Visit of the President of Uzbekistan to Turkey Was Fruitful”, 2017, https://mfa.uz/en/press/news/2017/the-state-visit-of-the-president-of-uzbekistan-to-turkey-was-fruitful---14900 [Accessed 06.09.2021].
• Referans 36: Najibullah, Farangis, “Don’t Love Your Neighbor”, RFE/RL, 8 October 2010, https://www.rferl.org/a/Dont_Love_Your_Neighbor/2185027.html [Accessed: 31.08.2021].
• Referans 37: Nematov, Akramjon, “The Essence and Significance of Strategic Cooperation of Uzbekistan and Turkey”, Institute for Strategic and Regional Studies under the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan, 19 March 2020, http://isrs.uz/en/maqolalar/sut-i-znacenie-strategiceskogo-sotrudnicestva-mezdu-uzbekistanom-i-turciej [Accessed: 07. 09.2021].
• Referans 38: North Atlantic Treaty Organization, “Relations with Uzbekistan”, 2019, https://www.nato.int/cps/en/natohq/topics_22839.htm [Accessed: 04.09.2021].
• Referans 39: Pannier, Bruce, “Afghanistan, Coronavirus Lend Extra Weight to Central Asian Leaders’ Summit”, RFE/RL, 9 August 2021, https://www.rferl.org/a/central-asia-taliban-coronavirus/31401479.html [Accessed 04.09.2021].
• Referans 40: ___________, “Uzbek, Tajik, and Kyrgyz Governors Hold Landmark Forum in Ferghana Valley”, RFE/RL, 27 April 2021, https://www.rferl.org/a/ferghana-valley-talks-uzbekistan-kyrgyzstan-tajikistan/31226060.html [Accessed: 04.09.2021].
• Referans 41: Pantucci, Raffaello, “The Dragon’s Cuddle”, Strategic Review, 30 December 2019, https://sr.sgpp.ac.id/post/the-dragons-cuddle [Accessed 02.09.2021].
• Referans 42: RFE/RL, “Kyrgyz Officials Say Situation under Control after Minor Clashes along Uzbek Border”, 14 May 2021, https://www.rferl.org/a/kyrgyz-tajik-border-minor-clashes-sokh/31254938.html [Accessed: 04.09.2021].
• Referans 43: Simavoryan, Arestakes, “Turkey’s Military-technical Cooperation with the Turkic Nations”, Orbeli Center, 18 November 2019, https://orbeli.am/en/post/316/2019-11-18/Turkey%E2%80%99s+Military-Technical+Cooperation+With+the+Turkic+Nations?__cf_chl_jschl_tk__=pmd_wY1OHLO98EVGleNRLG_dJ2g2hmzwRU9jRg3jBMtDUVw-1631020363-0-gqNtZGzNAlCjcnBszQb9 [Accessed: 07.09.2021].
• Referans 44: The Moscow Times, “Russia-led Drills Begin on Afghanistan Border”, 5 August 2021, https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2021/08/05/russia-led-drills-begin-on-afghanistan-borderafp-a74707 [Accessed: 31.08.2021].
• Referans 45: The Russian Government, “Mikhail Mishustin’s Conversation with Prime Minister of Uzbekistan Abdulla Aripov”, 2021, http://government.ru/en/news/42088/ [Accessed: 31.08.2021].
• Referans 46: The Tashkent Times, “Branch of Russian Mendeleev University of Chemical Technology Opens in Tashkent”, 27 May 2021, https://tashkenttimes.uz/national/6967-branch-of-russian-mendeleev-university-of-chemical-technology-opens-in-tashkent [Accessed: 31.08.2021].
• Referans 47:___________, “Uzbekistan Voted against UN Resolution on Crimea”, 16 November 2018, https://tashkenttimes.uz/world/3190-uzbekistan-voted-against-resolution-on-crimea-at-un [Accessed: 31.08. 2021].
• Referans 48:___________, “Uzbekistan’s Public Debt Falls to US$ 23.2 Billion”, 28 May 2021, http://tashkenttimes.uz/finances/6975-uzbekistan-s-public-debt-fell-to-us-23-2-billion (Accessed: 02.09.2021).
• Referans 49: Tolipov, Farkhod, “Uzbekistan’s New Foreign Policy Concept: No Base, No Blocks, but National Interests First”, The Central Asia-Caucasus Analyst, 5 September 2012, http://www.cacianalyst.org/publications/analytical-articles/item/12557-analytical-articles- [Accessed: 31.08.2021].
• Referans 50: Tulyakov, Eldor – Farruh Khakimov, “Friendly Cooperation with Central Asian States-A Priority Direction of Uzbekistan’s Foreign Policy“, Caspian Policy Center, 29 March 2021, https://www.caspianpolicy.org/friendly-cooperation-with-central-asian-states-a-priority-direction-of-uzbekistans-foreign-policy/ [Accessed: 04.09.2021].
• Referans 51: Turkic Council, “Seventh Summit of the Turkic Council”, 2019, https://www.turkkon.org/en/organizasyon-tarihcesi [Accessed 06.09.2021].
• Referans 52: U.S. Department of State, “U.S. Relations with Uzbekistan”, 2021, https://www.state.gov/u-s-relations-with-uzbekistan/ [Accessed 04.09.2021].
• Referans 53: U.S. Embassy in Uzbekistan, “Secretary Pompeo’s Visit to Uzbekistan”, 2020, https://uz.usembassy.gov/secretary-pompeos-visit-to-uzbekistan/ [Accessed: 04.09.2021].
• Referans 54: UzDaily, “Central Asia-Priority of Foreign Policy of Uzbekistan”, 15 July 2020, https://www.uzdaily.uz/en/post/58469 [Accessed: 04.09.2021].
• Referans 55: Yakvalkhodjieva, Ezoza, “For Coveted Spots in China, Uzbek Students ‘Study Like Crazy’”, Eurasianet, 26 April 2021, https://eurasianet.org/for-coveted-spots-in-china-uzbek-students-study-like-crazy [Accessed: 02.09.2021].