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		<title>A War Too Small to Matter? The Global Cost of Overlooking Nagorno-Karabakh Conflict</title>
		<link>https://theicaf.org/icaf/2025/07/03/a-war-too-small-to-matter-the-global-cost-of-overlooking-nagorno-karabakh-conflict/</link>
		
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		<pubDate>Thu, 03 Jul 2025 12:48:29 +0000</pubDate>
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					<description><![CDATA[Prof Rustam Jumaev Doctor of Political Science Diplomatic Academy University of World Economy and Diplomacy, Republic of Uzbekistan &#160; Tamilakhon Khaydarova Undergraduate student McGill University, Canada Key Words: Nagorno-Karabakh, Armenia, Azerbaijan, ethnic conflict, territorial dispute, sovereignty, war, displacement, international security, international law. Introduction Nagorno-Karabakh, a region of south-western Azerbaijan, was not internationally recognized despite its [&#8230;]]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><strong>Prof Rustam Jumaev</strong></p>
<p>Doctor of Political Science</p>
<p>Diplomatic Academy</p>
<p>University of World Economy and Diplomacy,</p>
<p>Republic of Uzbekistan</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p><strong>Tamilakhon Khaydarova</strong></p>
<p>Undergraduate student</p>
<p>McGill University,</p>
<p>Canada</p>
<p><strong>Key Words: </strong>Nagorno-Karabakh, Armenia, Azerbaijan, ethnic conflict, territorial dispute, sovereignty, war, displacement, international security, international law.</p>
<p><strong><u>Introduction</u></strong></p>
<p>Nagorno-Karabakh, a region of south-western Azerbaijan, was not internationally recognized despite its self-declared independence from <strong>1992 to 2023</strong>. It has, also, been the reason of intense ethno-political and territorial disputes between Armenia and Azerbaijan (Britannica) for decades. Despite its seemingly localized nature, the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict extends beyond the Caucasus region showing how vulnerable the global security system and international law are. The conflict has a profound impact on the international stage, as it raises fundamental issues such as the effectiveness of international law, the sustainability of the collective security system and the selective approaches of world powers to the principles of justice.</p>
<p>Historically, Nagorno-Karabakh was an autonomous oblast of Azerbaijan Soviet Socialist Republic (S.S.R.), which was mainly populated by the Armenian population. The region declared its independence under the name of the <strong>Republic of Artsakh</strong> after the Soviet Union was dismantled in the early 1990s, but its sovereignty was never recognized by the international community, including Armenia. The general territory, which includes the north-eastern flank of the Karabakh Range of the Lesser Caucasus and extends from the crest line of the range to the margin of the Kura River lowland at its foot, has a strategic importance and rich natural potential (Britannica). These features have created a unique conflict context and have only increased the political as well as ethnic complexity of the conflict.</p>
<p>Although the international community paid some attention to the conflict, it usually has been overshadowed by other global problems, like the war in Ukraine or the Israeli-Palestine conflict. After the 2020 armed operations, the crisis between Azerbaijan and Armenia started to be considered as almost over, with the parties negotiating a peace agreement. But ignoring the consequences, when humanitarian and legal issues remain unresolved, is dangerous and it undermines trust in international institutions that are supposed to ensure justice and stability for all.</p>
<p>All these historical, geographical, and demographic factors have turned the conflict into something more than just a territorial dispute. On the one hand, Azerbaijan defends the principle of territorial integrity, considering Karabakh as part of its recognized border. On the other hand, the Armenian population of the region has been trying to get the right to self-determination for decades, seeking national integrity or annexation to Armenia. There is also a conflict between state sovereignty &#8211; Azerbaijan’s right to control its territory &#8211; and humanitarian obligations to protect the rights and security of the population, especially during periods of hostilities.</p>
<p>All in all, the conflict between Azerbaijan and Armenia illustrates not only ethnopolitical and territorial disputes between the two states but also the weakness of the international system of law and security. This research paper examines the opposing positions of the parties, conflict’s historical evolution and its consequences for international law, regional stability, and international security. It will also show how the conflict undermines the legitimacy of existing institutions. This work will provide possible solutions to the conflict as well as reforms to international mechanisms for preventing and resolving similar crises in the future.</p>
<p><strong><u>Historical Background</u></strong></p>
<p>It is necessary to examine historical developments in detail to understand the current implications and challenges of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. From the beginning, Nagorno-Karabakh was officially an autonomous oblast within Azerbaijan S.S.R. Armenian population was not satisfied with the fact that the area in which it was predominant was not part of Armenia. As highlighted by Felix Light, Nagorno-Karabakh, known as Artsakh by Armenians, until 2023 had 100,000 inhabitants who were predominantly ethnic Armenians. For the Armenian population of Nagorno-Karabakh, as well as for many in Armenia, this territory has always had an important historical and cultural meaning, while Azerbaijan considered it as an integral part of its territory. Despite the oblast’s predominantly Armenian population, the Soviet administration decided to include Nagorno-Karabakh in Azerbaijan, granting it autonomy, which as a result became a trigger toward future opposition clashes.</p>
<p>In 1988, when the Union of Soviet Socialist Republic (USSR) began to weaken, Nagorno-Karabakh’s regional legislature passed a resolution declaring its intention to join the Republic of Armenia despite its official location within Azerbaijan (Center for Preventive Action). Armed fighting between the two Republics, which have a long history of ethnic tension, quickly followed (Center for Preventive Action). This led to the beginning of the first Karabakh War, which lasted from <strong>1992 to 1994</strong>. The war claimed about 30,000 lives and led to massive population displacement (Galustyan). This only confirmed the fact that regional and international actors are unable to prevent violence. According to the Center for Preventive Action, the analytical unit within the United States based Council on Foreign Relations, by 1993, as a result of the armed actions; Armenia had gained control of Nagorno-Karabakh and occupied 20 percent of this territory. In the 1990s, the Azerbaijani population was itself expelled from Nagorno-Karabakh and hundreds of thousands of people were displaced within Azerbaijan.  A formal ceasefire was reached in 1993 with the help of Russia. This consolidated the de-facto independence of Karabakh under Armenian control. However, it did not receive international recognition, and all negotiations have reached an impasse. All this inability to move the problem beyond simple agreements has made the conflict chronic and protracted.</p>
<p>In late September 2020, heavy <a href="https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/9/27/heavy-fighting-erupts-in-disputed-nagorno-karabakh-region">fighting</a> broke out along the Azerbaijan -Nagorno-Karabakh border, killing more than seven thousand soldiers and civilians, with hundred more Armenian and Azerbaijani soldiers wounded (Center for Preventive Action). This fight was characterized as the second <strong>Karabakh War</strong>. This had demonstrated that the absence of an effective political settlement makes the resumption of violence only a matter of time.</p>
<p>Even though there were numerous ceasefires, the root causes of the conflict have raised concerns in the region due to unresolved issues. This showed that diplomatic stagnation could easily turn into a new escalation.</p>
<p>The blockade of the corridor has created difficult living conditions and increased pressure for the local population. It also showed how humanitarian access can be used as an instrument of political pressure. Ertl highlights that the Lachin Corridor is the only road that connects the Republic of Armenia to Nagorno-Karabakh. It is a key artery for supplies, and residents in the territory reported severe shortages of basic food items and medication during the blockade (Ertl). This situation has left the population isolated, increasing their dependence on external factors.</p>
<p>Azerbaijan launched a decisive attack in September 2023, which ended with the surrender of the Armenian forces. The breakaway Republic and its institutions will &#8220;cease to exist&#8221; from 1 January 2024, the region&#8217;s separatist leader Samvel Shahramanyan has said (Ertl). About 100,000 Armenians were forced to leave the region.</p>
<p>As CIVICUS notes,</p>
<p>“When the end came, it came suddenly. [&#8230;] A major Azerbaijan military offensive launched on 19 September quickly proved decisive. A ceasefire the following day confirmed Azerbaijan’s victory. On 28 September, Artsakh President Samvel Shahramanyan signed a decree dissolving all government institutions from 1 January 2024, bringing the unrecognized state’s 32-year existence to a close. By then, most of the population had already fled to Armenia.”</p>
<p>While the report emphasizes the abrupt end of the conflict, the mere fact of a mass exodus shows how vulnerable civilians have become in the absence of security guarantees.</p>
<p>Although international organizations, including the United Nations (UN) and the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), tried to mitigate the losses and help resolve the issue peacefully, they failed to achieve desired results. The long-term consequences of the conflict like militarization of the region, the growing distrust between people, undermining peacemaking efforts, and deepening of geopolitical divisions proved that the neglect of the early signs of tension by the international community and regional authorities can lead to a massive humanitarian catastrophe.</p>
<p><strong><u>Consequences of the Conflict</u></strong></p>
<p>The conflict in Nagorno-Karabakh has had an ongoing impact on the South Caucasus. It has affected not only borders, but also the humanitarian situation, the security structure and international relations. Despite the official termination of the unrecognized Republic of Artsakh in January 2024, the consequences of the conflict continue to be felt both in Azerbaijan and Armenia and beyond their borders.</p>
<p>The most tragic consequence of the conflict has been on the people themselves: the mass exodus seems to be the last and most heart-breaking episode in the endless story of the struggle and displacement, when hundreds of thousands of people were forced to leave their homes due to their different ethnic backgrounds (Alieva). People were leaving because of fear, the nine-month blockade, and the lack of basic security guarantees. As Lida Minasyan notes, <em>“the nine-month blockade and the offensive were meant to achieve the ethnic cleansing of the Armenian population of Nagorno-Karabakh” </em>(CIVICUS). Displacement has led to the destruction of people&#8217;s holistic lives, social ties, and cultural identity. After being in these unstable conditions, people had to start all over again, without possessions, a sense of security, or mere confidence in the future.</p>
<p>However, the consequences of the conflict are not limited to a humanitarian crisis. They also manifest themselves in the systemic inefficiency of international institutions. Leila Alieva mentions that the <a href="https://www.osce.org/mg">Minsk group</a> of the OSCE did not change but rather solidified the status quo between Armenia and Azerbaijan. International efforts not only did not contribute to the resolution of the conflict but also hindered the dynamics of change. It is known that for 30 years, no measures were taken by international organizations or governments to implement four resolutions of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) about the immediate withdrawal of Armenian troops from Karabakh (Alieva). This has shown that even binding decisions remain on paper if there is no pressure and clearer action to implement them. Ignoring the implementation of binding decisions gives the feeling that international norms can be ignored without consequences. Impunity undermines the credibility of legal instruments and makes them meaningless. It is in this context it becomes clear why the absence of progress in outside mediation has been crucial in spurring Azerbaijan’s military option (Alieva). When diplomacy is not working, opponents might resort to force as the only way to change the situation for the better side. After its military success, Azerbaijan strengthened its alliance with Turkey, confirming that the use of force can be more effective than participation in international negotiations. This weakens the positions of multilateral structures like the UN and OSCE. This dynamic can lead to instability and increased violence in solving problems in the future. When countries become disillusioned with the effectiveness of universal norms, the established way of life collapses, where there is no framework.</p>
<p>Despite its success in the conflict, Azerbaijan faces the outcome of the crisis as well. Aleksandre Kvakhadze writes: <em>“the realization of the announced infrastructure projects and the complete restoration of the region’s infrastructure will require, besides the time, several billion dollars.”</em>  In addition to finances, we need qualified personnel, coordination between central and local authorities, as well as stable institutional mechanisms.</p>
<p>The consequences of the conflict are not limited to the direct result of the fighting in the regions and require an integrated approach to address the problem in depth.</p>
<p><strong><u>Possible Solutions </u></strong></p>
<p>Although the self-proclaimed Republic of Artsakh officially does not exist anymore, the conflict in Nagorno-Karabakh cannot be considered over. Its consequences are still taking place. When solving the problem, it is worth paying attention not only to the post-war regional problems.</p>
<p>Firstly, it is important to update international mediation mechanisms, because the structure of the OSCE Minsk Group, for example, has shown its ineffectiveness. Moreover, as the report of the International Crisis Group highlights, more than twenty years of negotiations brokered by U.S., French, and Russian diplomats failed to yield meaningful progress, Azerbaijan launched a war to take back its territories by force. This shows that existing structures of peacemaking showed a lack of results, representing diplomacy as a meaningless process that couldn’t stop the escalation of the conflict. The renewal of the mechanisms should include clear, new formats of control of the stability. And the failure to meet the requirements of the structure would be penalized with sanctions or other things.</p>
<p>Nevertheless, efforts have been made in recent years to normalize relations between Armenia and Azerbaijan through the mediation of the European Union. The closest the sides came to compromise was under EU mediation (Vartanyan). Brussels proposed a model based on the post-2008 Georgia–Russia precedent, in which an independent foreign operator manages the logistics of routes through the disputed regions of Abkhazia and South Ossetia and shares data with all parties (Vartanyan). However, the EU-led negotiations stalled amid renewed border clashes and the 2023 crisis in Nagorno-Karabakh that ended its existence as an ethnic Armenian enclave (Vartanyan). This shows that even with a realistic and proven mediation model, the EU has not been able to prevent escalation of the conflict. This is because of the lack of diplomatic pressure and the inability to ensure monitoring on the ground. Also, there were no effective enforcement mechanisms, which also weakened the influence of the European Union as a mediator.</p>
<p>Secondly, the peace agreement between Armenia and Azerbaijan remains unclear. In March 2024, the parties finalized the preparation of the text of the agreement, but its signing was blocked due to Azerbaijan&#8217;s demand to amend the Constitution of Armenia. According to the International Crisis Group’s report, <em>“Azerbaijan reiterated the demand, which it had been making publicly for more than a year, that Armenia change its constitution before being bound by any agreement.”</em> Baku believes that the preamble of Armenian’s constitution has references to illegal territorial claims. Armenia declares that the reform process was initiated internally and will be completed no earlier than 2026.  In that situation, the EU offers Armenia to sign a commitment to complete the reform (International Crisis Group). While the reform is in the process, there should be a mitigating side that would regularly report the situation to the security structures.</p>
<p>As of March 2025, after a series of negotiations, &#8220;”The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Armenia confirmed the fact that the draft “Agreement on Peace and Establishment of Interstate Relations between the Republic of Armenia and the Republic of Azerbaijan&#8221;, has been agreed upon, as well as the agreement of this draft. Therefore, the peace agreement is ready to be signed. The Republic of Armenia is ready to start discussions with the Republic of Azerbaijan on the date and place of signing the agreement””, the Foreign Ministry said in a statement.</p>
<p>Thirdly, there is still an issue with the rights of displaced people. If Azerbaijan fails to secure property rights for them, then the Armenian side may find itself in a more favorable position in the international arena (Kvakhadze). To solve this problem, Azerbaijan must do its part so as not to lose its credibility in the international community. Compensation funds and support from international organizations for return and reintegration are needed to reduce discontent and tension.</p>
<p>It is also worth reducing any risk of escalation. The International Crisis Group states that Brussels should urge the two sides to commit to risk reduction measures, which could be especially important during the sensitive period before an agreement is signed. [&#8230;] that would seek to reduce the military presence along the border and create mechanisms for defusing the risk that accidents and miscalculations could create an escalatory dynamic. This measure will be especially useful due to the uncertainty of signing the agreement and the expectation of reform on the part of Armenia.</p>
<p>Fourthly, Armenia must also make efforts to prevent the escalation of the conflict. It is important that the Armenian side officially recognizes the territorial integrity of Azerbaijan, which will become the basis for a sustainable peace agreement. In addition, it is worth rejecting any statements suggesting territorial claims and supporting political and educational initiatives aimed at reconciliation. It is important to cooperate within the framework of international conflict prevention mechanisms. These may include measures to reduce the military presence along the border and create mechanisms to neutralize the risks associated with incidents and miscalculations that could provoke escalation. These steps are especially relevant in the context of the uncertainty surrounding the signing of the agreement and the expectation of reforms on the part of Armenia. At the same time, the recent steps of the parties inspire some hope for finding a mutually acceptable solution. As it became known to Middle East Eye, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev plan to meet in Dubai later this month, as the two countries continue negotiations on a peace agreement.</p>
<p>Without steps towards a deep solution to the problem, regions and international security will continue to be vulnerable to new outbreaks of conflict and violence.</p>
<p><strong>Conclusion</strong></p>
<p>Overall, the conflict in Nagorno-Karabakh turned out not just as a regional territorial problem, but as a serious interstate conflict, showing the weakness of the existing system of international law, the security system and the low effectiveness of international institutions created to resolve such conflicts. By ignoring early signs of escalation, the international community showed its inability to overcome even “small” conflicts. Therefore, it is clear that in order to fully mitigate the conflict in Nagorno-Karabakh and overcome its consequences, the system of international organizations needs reform to increase the effectiveness of their decisions in similar conflicts.</p>
<p><strong><u>Notes and References</u></strong></p>
<ol>
<li>Alieva, Leila. “Nagorny Karabakh: The Consequences of International Inaction.” Institute for War and Peace Reporting, 3 Oct. 2023, iwpr.net/global-voices/nagorny-karabakh-consequences-international-inaction.</li>
<li>“Armenia-Azerbaijan Conflict.” President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev, president.az/en/pages/view/azerbaijan/karabakh. Accessed 22 June 2025.</li>
<li>Center for Preventative Action. “Nagorno-Karabakh Conflict .” Council on Foreign Relations, 20 Mar. 2025, www.cfr.org/global-conflict-tracker/conflict/nagorno-karabakh-conflict.</li>
<li>“Nagorno-Karabakh: Far-Reaching Consequences of a Neglected Conflict.” CIVICUS LENS, 10 Nov. 2023, lens.civicus.org/nagorno-karabakh-far-reaching-consequences-of-a-neglected-conflict/.</li>
<li>Ertl, Michael. “Nagorno-Karabakh: Conflict between Azerbaijan and Armenians Explained.” BBC News, 28 Sept. 2023, www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-66852070.</li>
<li>Galustyan, Artem. “War and Myth: What Is Happening in Nagorno-Karabakh.” Forbes, 13 Apr. 2016, www.forbes.ru/novosti/obshchestvo/317775-voina-i-mif-chto-proiskhodit-v-nagornom-karabakhe.</li>
<li>International Crisis Group. “Armenia and Azerbaijan: Getting the Peace Agreement across the Finish Line.” International Crisis Group, 22 May 2025, www.crisisgroup.org/europe-central-asia/caucasus/armenian-azerbaijani-conflict/armenia-and-azerbaijan-getting-peace-agreement-across-finish-line.</li>
<li>Kvakhadze, Aleksandre. “After the Karabakh War: Key Issues of Politics and Security.” Rondeli Foundation, 23 June 2021, gfsis.org.ge/publications/view/2994.</li>
<li>Light, Felix. “What Is the History of the Conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan? .” Reuters, 13 Mar. 2025, www.reuters.com/world/what-is-history-conflict-between-armenia-azerbaijan-2025-03-13/.</li>
<li>“MFA Statement.” Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Armenia, 13 Mar. 2025, www.mfa.am/en/interviews-articles-and-comments/2025/03/13/mfa_statement/13114.</li>
<li>“Nagorno-Karabakh.” Britannica, Encyclopædia Britannica, inc., 15 June 2025, www.britannica.com/place/Nagorno-Karabakh.</li>
<li>Schmitt, Michael, and Kevin Coble. “The Evolving Nagorno-Karabakh Conflict &#8211; an International Law Perspective – Part II.” Lieber Institute West Point, 29 Sept. 2023, lieber.westpoint.edu/evolving-nagorno-karabakh-conflict-international-law-perspective-part-ii/.</li>
<li>Soylu, Ragip. “Azerbaijani and Armenian Leaders to Meet in Dubai Later in July.” Middle East Eye, 2 July 2025, www.middleeasteye.net/news/azerbaijan-aliyev-and-armenia-pashinyan-meet-dubai.</li>
<li>“The Nagorno-Karabakh Conflict: A Visual Explainer .” International Crisis Group, www.crisisgroup.org/content/nagorno-karabakh-conflict-visual-explainer. Accessed 22 June 2025.</li>
<li>“Two More Conditions. Why Armenia and Azerbaijan Have Not yet Signed a Peace Treaty?” BBC News Russian Service, www.bbc.com/russian/articles/c2lzjw9gn0wo. Accessed 22 June 2025.</li>
<li>Vartanyan, Olesya. “Why Armenia Is Seeking to Normalize Relations with Turkiye.” Carnegie Russia Eurasia Center, 1 July 2025, carnegieendowment.org/russia-eurasia/politika/2025/06/armenia-turkiye-rapprochement?lang=en.</li>
</ol>
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		<title>Experiences of Creating the  &#8220;Explanatory Dictionary of Diplomatic Terms&#8221; in the Uzbek Language</title>
		<link>https://theicaf.org/icaf/2025/05/16/experiences-of-creating-the-explanatory-dictionary-of-diplomatic-terms-in-the-uzbek-language/</link>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[admin-theicaf]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Fri, 16 May 2025 06:02:56 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Research Articles]]></category>
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					<description><![CDATA[I. Shamsimukhamedov, Candidate of Philological Sciences, Head Department of Advanced Training of the Diplomatic Academy at the University of World Economy and Diplomacy Ministry of Foreign affairs of the Republic of Uzbekistan &#160; The author of this article has been directly and professionally involved with the issue of diplomatic terminology since the early years of [&#8230;]]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p style="text-align: right;"><strong> I. Shamsimukhamedov</strong><strong>,<br />
</strong><strong>Candidate of Philological Sciences,<br />
</strong><strong>Head<br />
</strong><strong>Department of Advanced Training of the<br />
</strong><strong>Diplomatic Academy at the<br />
</strong><strong>University of World Economy and Diplomacy<br />
</strong><strong>Ministry of Foreign affairs of the<br />
</strong><strong>Republic of Uzbekistan</strong></p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">The author of this article has been directly and professionally involved with the issue of diplomatic terminology since the early years of Uzbekistan&#8217;s independence. During the formation of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Uzbekistan, efforts began to implement the Law on the State Language across all ministries and departments. One significant initiative was the introduction of the Uzbek language into the Ministry&#8217;s operations. In the initial stages, the author, as a member of the Secretariat, was responsible for preparing Uzbek summaries of documents and correspondence received from around the world, which were then presented to the leadership. This work marked the beginning of dealing with diplomatic terminology.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">Soon, the need arose to draft agreements, treaties, and other political documents in Uzbek. However, since such documents were typically prepared in Russian or English, the development of relevant terminology in Uzbek had not been addressed and remained an unexplored area of study.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">A six-member working group was established to address this gap and support the implementation of the language law. Their task was to translate into Uzbek the Vienna Conventions on Diplomatic and Consular Relations, foundational texts in global diplomacy. These conventions encompass nearly all key diplomatic terms. Each group member received a section to translate. The most experienced members, A. Buribekov and the author, who both had backgrounds in translation and publishing, took the lead in editing and harmonising the translations. It was later felt that re-translating rather than editing the portions done by the other members would have been more efficient. Ultimately, the translation was completed primarily by these two individuals. The resulting translations and coined terms became foundational in the initial international treaties and agreements signed by Uzbekistan.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">This, however, was just the beginning. The translation of the conventions and the creation of corresponding terminology did not imply that two individuals had single-handedly developed an entire system of diplomatic language. The research and standardisation of this field continued in the years that followed. Professionals understand the complexities of finding appropriate equivalents for terms and concepts that have no direct parallel in the target language. Some terms are easy to identify, while others require prolonged deliberation. Nonetheless, the timely completion of this work greatly benefited various departments within the Ministry, diplomats, and the authors themselves.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">A. Buribekov continued to utilise this expertise in editing all official documents within the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, while the author, as head of the editorial department of the Ministry’s Zhakhon news agency, relied heavily on it for preparing and translating political articles published in government newspapers. The author encountered similar challenges later while working at the Institute for Strategic and Interregional Studies under the President of Uzbekistan. At that time, R. Khakimov, a senior colleague at the institute, proposed translating the United Nations Charter into Uzbek. Leveraging years of experience, the author successfully completed the translation, which was published in thousands of copies by the Tashkent office of the United Nations. The author was recognised with a certificate from the UN Special Representative for officially translating the Charter into Uzbek.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">The author spent nearly fifteen years as head of the international departments at two universities after serving in these political and diplomatic roles, continuing to confront challenges related to political and diplomatic language and correspondence.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">These experiences form the foundation of the author’s motivation for creating a specialised dictionary of diplomatic terms. The publication of the Azerbaijani-language &#8220;Diplomatic Encyclopedic Dictionary&#8221; further inspired him. This inspiration was not only professional but also personal, driven by a deep sense of responsibility and the availability of favourable conditions for scholarly work.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">Any meaningful project begins with a review of existing work to avoid redundancy. The author first consulted Professor G. Dadabaev, a linguist, to inquire whether any research had already been conducted in this field. Professor Dadabaev confirmed that no comprehensive studies had been done on political and diplomatic terminology in Uzbek.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">Author approached the University of World Economy and Diplomacy in Uzbekistan for more clarity on the subject. With their full support and guidance, he gained access to preliminary research and resources. The next step was to liaise with officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for access to archival materials and support. It is worth noting that the Senate of the Oliy Majlis of Uzbekistan had recently instructed the Ministry to develop diplomatic terminology for high-level international documentation. In response, the Ministry established a Translation Centre, which later collaborated with the author on this endeavour.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">A dictionary, in general, is understood as a reference work that offers meanings and translations of words. An explanatory dictionary, more specifically, provides in-depth definitions and explanations. The author aimed to produce such a dictionary in the diplomatic field, collecting terms, phrases, and definitions within international relations and presenting them in an accessible format.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">The core of this effort was based on the authoritative three-volume &#8220;Diplomatic Dictionary&#8221; edited by A.A. Gromyko and published in the 1970s by Politizdat in Moscow. This dictionary, widely recognised for its scholarly merit, covers concepts in modern international relations, foreign policy, diplomatic history, conferences, treaties, and prominent diplomats. Alongside this Russian resource, the author consulted respected English-language dictionaries.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">Author prioritised the most frequently used terms for initial translation given the enormity of translating entire dictionaries. These were reviewed by both linguistic and diplomatic experts, and then released for public use before proceeding to the next set.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">Surprisingly, other comprehensive Uzbek-language sources—such as the &#8220;Russian International Dictionary of Words&#8221; (1972), the five-volume &#8220;Russian-Uzbek Dictionary,&#8221; the two-volume &#8220;Explanatory Dictionary of the Uzbek Language,&#8221; and the Uzbek Encyclopedic—contained little to no diplomatic terminology.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">The dictionary was enriched based on the established cooperation with the Diplomatic Academy&#8217;s partner, the India-Central Asia Foundation, the MERI Group of Institutes. During the work on the dictionary, different sources on this topic published in India were also used. One of the results of this collaboration was the monograph &#8220;Cooperation and Interdependence of Central and South Asia&#8221;, jointly prepared and published by scholars from both countries.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">On the subject of translation, it is important to consider the origin and adaptation of terms. Many diplomatic terms in Russian and other languages are borrowed directly from Latin, French, or English. While using international terms is sometimes practical, it is equally important to develop native equivalents that preserve linguistic purity. However, such an effort requires collective work from language commissions, academic institutions, and experts.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">For instance, let us consider how to render common Russian diplomatic terms like &#8220;substitution,&#8221; &#8220;country of preference,&#8221; or &#8220;seniority&#8221; into Uzbek. This reflection underscores the necessity of structured, collaborative work in developing an accurate and comprehensive diplomatic vocabulary.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">The increasing reliance on internet-based translation tools has also led to issues. These tools often provide only one literal translation without contextual usage or multiple meanings. They may result in &#8220;calque&#8221; translations—direct, unidiomatic renderings that lack nuance. In contrast, comprehensive dictionaries provide extensive definitions, examples, and alternative meanings, making them far superior for professional translation.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">The creation of an &#8220;Explanatory Dictionary of Diplomatic Terms&#8221; in Uzbek represents a crucial step toward eliminating inconsistencies in political and diplomatic language. Without a standardised reference, there is no guarantee that terms used in various conferences, diplomatic correspondence, treaties, and official documents will remain consistent. In today’s interconnected world, the development of diplomatic terminology must evolve alongside the nation&#8217;s foreign policy and international engagement.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">This endeavour is both a national priority and a professional duty for linguists, translators, and diplomats in Uzbekistan. The author emphasises that the successful development of a modern diplomatic lexicon in Uzbek will not only promote linguistic self-reliance but also ensure the accuracy, clarity, and credibility of the country’s voice in the global arena.</p>
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		<title>Current Foreign Policy of Uzbekistan: Challenges and Priorities</title>
		<link>https://theicaf.org/icaf/2023/04/15/current-foreign-policy-of-uzbekistan-challenges-and-priorities/</link>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[admin-theicaf]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Sat, 15 Apr 2023 06:50:52 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Research Articles]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Abdusamat Khaydarov]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Uzbekistan]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://theicaf.org/icaf/?p=1299</guid>

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				<div class="et_pb_text_inner"><p><strong>Prof Abdusamat Khaydarov</strong><br />Deputy Director</p>
<p>Diplomatic Academy,<br />University of World Economy &amp; Diplomacy (UWED),<br />Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA)<br />Uzbekistan</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p>Over the past two-plus decades, significant changes have taken place in international relations and world economy. These are characterized by increased interconnectedness and interdependence of countries in the global processes. Along with this, tensions have significantly increased between the leading players in world politics, primarily between United States and Russia, United States and China. This contestation has been influencing the foreign policy of other countries, trajectory of international economic relations.</p>
<p>The increasing complexity of international relations requires new approaches from members of the world community and the search for optimal ways to meet challenges at the national, regional and global levels in order to maintain favorable conditions for sustainable development.</p>
<p>Sh. M. Mirziyoyev, President of Uzbekistan, has introduced social, economic and political reforms to address the changing global processes in 2016. These are aimed at strengthening independence and creating favorable conditions for sustainable development in Uzbekistan. In a short time, the Strategy of actions on five priority areas of development of Uzbekistan in 2017-2021 was developed and adopted in February 2017, which kept the country from sliding to the periphery of world politics and economy and served as the basis for the implementation of the Development Strategy of the New Uzbekistan for 2022-2026. This Strategy became a logical continuation of the course of creating favorable conditions for sustainable development, which in turn determined the objective need for the current constitutional reform.</p>
<p>The need to renew the Constitution was also caused by demographic changes in our republic, an increase in the population, which, according to sociologists, will reach 50 million people by 2040. At the same time, more than half of the population will be young people, who will need to create decent living conditions, including social guarantees, effective governance, as well as a well-developed and stable economy and security. This, in turn, requires the creation of a new legal framework and above all the Constitution.           </p>
<p>Today, the proposed draft of the Basic Law provides for more than 200 amendments, including the inclusion of 6 new articles. These changes concern almost all spheres of life of our people, who were the main initiators and authors of all the proposed changes. These proposals relate to the social sphere, education, institution of the family, labor relations, rule of law, human rights and freedom of speech, strengthening parliamentary processes, expanding the powers of the executive branch, as well as foreign policy.</p>
<p>However, the scope of our article does not allow us to dwell in detail on all of these areas, and therefore I would like to focus on one of them &#8211; the sphere of foreign policy. In particular, article 17 of the new version of the Constitution of the Republic focuses on the fact that the Republic of Uzbekistan in its foreign policy follows <strong>the principles of peaceful settlement of disputes and non-interference in the internal affairs of other States.</strong></p>
<p>Based on this principle, Uzbekistan has consistently made efforts to resolve long-standing border, territorial and water-energy problems with the Central Asian states. Since the end of 2016, a new negotiation process has been launched on the delimitation and demarcation of borders with all Uzbekistan&#8217;s neighbors. From August 2016 to July 2018, 63 meetings were held between Uzbekistan and its neighboring countries. This include 17 meeting with Kazakhstan, 27 with Kyrgyz Republic, nine with Tajikistan, nine with Turkmenistan and one with Afghanistan.</p>
<p>Uzbekistan&#8217;s focus on strengthening and enhancing bilateral ties with Kazakhstan led to signing of the agreements on allied relations and on the demarcation of the state border in Tashkent in December 2022. The solution of border problems has significantly increased the trade turnover between the two countries. From 2016 to 2022 the volume of bilateral trade turnover doubled and exceeded $4 billion. The countries intend to reach an annual trade volume of $10 billion over the next five years.</p>
<p>Notable progress and agreements were reached with Turkmenistan. In March 2017 the Presidents of Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan signed the Agreement on strategic partnership between the countries, which facilitated the resumption of negotiations between the parties on the demarcation of the joint border. The determination of the parties to resolve the remaining issues was reflected in the Declaration on Deepening Strategic Partnership signed in Ashgabat in October 2022.</p>
<p>Significant changes have also taken place in Uzbek-Tajik relations. During the visit of Sh.M.Mirziyoyev to Tajikistan in March 2018, about 27 documents on cooperation in various fields were signed, the visa regime was canceled. The Uzbek side expressed readiness to comprehensively consider the possibility of participating in the construction of hydropower structures in the Republic of Tajikistan, including the Rogun hydroelectric power plant (HPP), taking into account compliance with generally recognized international norms and standards for the construction of such facilities.</p>
<p>Positive results have also been achieved in Uzbek-Kyrgyz relations. Tensions were also addressed over the construction of the Kambarata hydroelectric power plant. The countries have agreed on cooperation in the field of investments, including the Kambarata HPP project. The trade turnover between the two countries has grown significantly. According to the last year data, the trade turnover between the two countries reached $1.3 billion, and over the past six years it has grown eight times. </p>
<p>It is important to mention significant changes that have taken place in Uzbek-Afghan relations. Tashkent firmly believe that prospects for stable and sustainable development of Central Asian countries has inseparable connection with the development of the situation in neighboring Afghanistan and its reconstruction. Today, humanitarian assistance is being provided to Afghanistan, which finds itself in a very difficult situation, aggravated by the coronavirus pandemic, deep economic and humanitarian crisis.</p>
<p>Particular attention is paid to the problem of water resources in the region, affecting the interests of the countries of Central Asia and Afghanistan. In this regard, Uzbek President Sh.M.Mirziyoyev underlined the need to start a practical dialogue on the construction of a new canal in the Amu Darya basin with the interim Government of neighboring Afghanistan and the international community on the basis of international norms and taking into account the interests of all countries in the region.</p>
<p>Another principle reflected in the draft of the renewed Constitution <strong>is the principle of sovereign equality of States.</strong> Based on this principle, the «India-Central Asia» Ministerial Dialogue was launched in Samarkand in January 2019. In the following 2020 year the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan took the initiative to intensify cooperation with the countries of South Asia. The International Conference &#8220;Central and South Asia: Regional Interconnectedness. Challenges and opportunities&#8221; held in Tashkent in July 2021, the real embodiment of this initiative. The conference attracted attention and support in the region and far beyond its borders.</p>
<p>The problems and prospects of cooperation and connectivity of the two neighboring regions found their further continuation within the framework of «India-Central Asia» dialogue at the highest level in January 2022.  Shavkat Mirziyoyev, speaking at this summit, invited India to develop cooperation in healthcare, education and information technology. At the same summit, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi emphasized that «<strong>Central Asia is central to India&#8217;s vision of an integrated and stable, extended neighborhood</strong>».</p>
<p>Further development and expansion of cooperation of the Republic of Uzbekistan is not limited only to the framework of Central and South Asia and includes expansion of cooperation with traditional partners in the Asia-Pacific region, USA, Canada and the countries of America, in the Middle East and Africa, traditional partners within the CIS countries.</p>
<p>In general, the achievements of the renewed foreign policy of Uzbekistan over the past six years reflect its priorities based on the fundamental principles of peaceful settlement of disputes and non-interference in the internal affairs of other States, as well as the sovereign equality of States. This approach emphasizes the peaceful nature of the Republic&#8217;s foreign policy. Thе positive development was facilitated by the initiatives of the head of our state Sh.M.Mirziyoyev aimed at discussing regional and interregional problems by reaching reasonable compromises on all problematic issues and creating comprehensive conditions for sustainable development.</p></div>
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