“It is high time the US changed its approach to bilateral relations with Uzbekistan” – Frederic Starr

The United States has changed its approach in bilateral relations with Uzbekistan, Frederick Starr, Director of Central Asia-Caucasus Institute, said. 
  
The American expert commented on the decision of the US State Department to withdraw Uzbekistan from the list of “Countries of Particular Concern” (CPC). He also noted that the paradigm had changed in building bilateral relations, when Washington cast off the old method of “working on the country” and embarked on “interaction with the country”. 
 
“It is high time for the US to recognize that something absolutely innovative is happening in the Muslim world. Perhaps, this is the most important aspect of what is happening today in Uzbekistan - to protect a secular state as a necessary environment for religious freedom” the press service of the MFA quoted Frederick Starr’s statement during a briefing at the National Press Club in Washington. 
 
An advisor on religious minorities of the US State Department Knox Thames praised the reforms and transformations in the country. He noted that Uzbekistan, being in the heart of Central Asia, played a very important role in the developmental history of the region. 
  
The American diplomat outlined specific elements of the Uzbek government, which became a prerequisite for excluding the country from the CPC list. In addition, he stressed that Uzbekistan became the only country that adopted at the legislative level an implementation mechanism for the recommendations sketched in the UN reports. 
 
“I have to say that I have been working in this field for more than 20 years. As a rule, when such reports are presented, they are either ignored or given little importance. I can honestly admit that I have never seen a single country which so effectively responded to the UN recommendations by implementing them into their national legislation,” Knox Thames declared while commenting on the roadmap adopted by both Houses of the Uzbek Parliament on the implementation of Akhmed Shakhid’s (the UN Special Envoy on freedom of religion) recommendations. 
 
An honorary president of the Institute for Global Involvement Chris Sieple noted that Uzbekistan is following all global trends in which religious nationalism prevails, despite repression of ethnic and religious minorities.  
 
According to Mr. Sieple, Uzbekistan’s progress can be judged based on the actual measures taken. 
  
“There are countries in which much is said, but nothing is being done. In others, words are translated into concrete actions. What is being done in Uzbekistan is truly remarkable, unprecedented and very necessary for the whole world,” Chris Sieple said. 
 
During an interview with Daniel Tutt, director of the program “Unity Productions Foundation” - the largest US media organization that advocates for strengthening religious and cultural pluralism, especially among Muslims and other beliefs, he said the following: 
  
“The briefing became an open and constructive dialogue. It allowed us to better understand a new Uzbekistan. I was deeply impressed by the country’s achievements. Our company is engaged in shooting films on Islam and Muslim culture in the US. We intend to visit Uzbekistan and make a short film about its culture and heritage. We would like to learn more and tell everyone about the incredibly rich history of your country.”