The return of the European Bank for reconstruction and development (EBRD) in Uzbekistan and a number of other plans of the new President of the country Shavkat Mirziyoyev, regarding reforms in the country provoked resistance from the head of the national security Service of Uzbekistan Rustam Inoyatova, which, according to the Agency, the head of state “shares authority”. About it reports Reuters, citing diplomatic sources and sources in the Bank.
According to the Agency, a number of measures such as the introduction of a floating exchange rate, the abolition of visas for tourists from 15 countries, as well as the resumption of air links with neighboring Tajikistan, delayed because of a split in the leadership of the country.
“Mirziyoev trying to show the West that he is a reformer, especially when it comes to the economy and the financial sector”, — quotes Agency the words of one of the diplomatic sources. “But the head of security Inoyatov, takes a different position. He is against fast reforms,” the source said.
It is expected that the EBRD this week will report that it is ready to resume its operations in Uzbekistan, Reuters reports. According to the Agency, it became possible after the death of the former President of the country Islam Karimov. EBRD when his presidency turned to cooperation with Uzbekistan in connection with the violation of human rights in the country.
The former Prime Minister of Uzbekistan Mirziyoev won the presidential election in December 2016 after the death of Karimov. As noted by Reuters, after winning the election, he did not inherit the absolute authority of the President and de facto divides them with the first Deputy Prime Minister Rustam Azimov and Inoyatova. Reuters adds that Mirziyoev and Asimov are considered reformers. Inoyatov, Chairman of the national security Service of Uzbekistan since 1995.
In November, the government of Uzbekistan issued a draft Directive, which proposed liberalization of the currency regime. The document was to be adopted by January 15, but this did not happen. According to sources, Inoyatov is opposed to changes, believing that they “can weaken the state, and some influential civil servants, who control foreign exchange flows through the current rules.”
In a press-service Mirzieev to queries from Reuters about the reviews didn’t answer,
