CONTEMPORARY TRENDS IN UZBEKISTAN'S FOREIGN POLICY TOWARD CENTRAL ASIA: OPPORTUNITIES AND PROSPECTS

Since 2016, Uzbekistan has pursued a fundamentally renewed foreign policy toward Central Asia, placing regional cooperation, mutual trust, economic integration, and good-neighborly relations at the center of its diplomatic agenda. This shift has transformed Central Asia into the primary priority of Uzbekistan's foreign policy and has significantly contributed to strengthening regional stability and expanding multilateral cooperation. The present study examines the contemporary trends in Uzbekistan's foreign policy toward Central Asia by analyzing the political, economic, security, and diplomatic dimensions of regional engagement. The research adopts a qualitative methodology based on the analysis of academic literature, official policy documents, international reports, and regional cooperation initiatives.