US Congratulates Uzbek President-Elect, Looks Forward to Economic Reform

The United States congratulates Shavkat Mirziyoyev on winning Uzbekistan’s December 4 presidential election and eagerly awaits the country making progress on broad economic and political reforms, Department of State spokesman Mark Toner said in a briefing.

WASHINGTON (Sputnik) — Mirziyoyev won 88.6 percent of the vote, Uzbekistan's election commission reported.

“We congratulate acting President and Prime Minister Shavkat Mirziyoyev,” Toner stated on Monday. “As Uzbekistan transitions into this new chapter, we look forward to sustained regional stability and progress towards broad economic, political and social reforms.”

Toner noted that the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) did identify some shortcomings in the electoral process but also praised the election’s increased transparency and unfettered access to 600 international observers.

The Kremlin Press Service said in a statement on Monday that Russian President Vladmir Putin during a phone conversation congratulated Mirziyoyev on his impressive victory and wished him success.