The session of the Cabinet of Ministers of the Republic of Uzbekistan took place in Tashkent. The session saw the discussion of outcomes of the social and economic development of the country in the first quarter 2007 and the measures on unconditional implementation of the most important priorities of economic program for this year. The Prime Minister of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoev has presided over the session.

Assalomu-alaykum, Dear fellow countrymen! Distinguished guests! In these bright days when our Homeland is covered with the emerald green, when it demonstrates its incomparable splendor and beauty, and when one feels the breath of the spring the long and impatiently awaited the fête of Navruz comes to our land.

\"Uzbekistan is one of the recognized centers of the formation and development of Islamic culture and philosophy,\" the President of the American-Turkish Association Abdulla Khwaja wrote in his letter in response to the fact that Uzbekistan was listed by the US Department of State among the \"Countries of Particular Concern\" (CPC) for alleged violations of religious freedom. In his letter, Mr. Khwaja particularly draws attention to the fact that religious holidays Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha are official national holidays in Uzbekistan, and that every year over 50,000 Uzbeks receive government support in making pilgrimage to Mecca and Medina.

Uzbekistan, an ancient centre of world civilization, is seeking Singapore\'s cooperation to bolster its drive to develop a modern market economy. In an exclusive interview with Today (Singapore), President of Uzbekistan Islam Karimov talked about the growth of democracy in the country, opening it to foreign investment and its tourism potential.

The law was adopted by the Legislative Chamber of Oliy Majlis on October 11, 2006 and approved by the Senate on December 1st, 2006.

I congratulate you, all the fellow countrymen who have devoted themselves to the noble cause of a defender of Homeland o?n the remarkable event in the life of the country ? the Day of Defenders of Homeland and the fifteenth anniversary of the Armed Forces of the Republic of Uzbekistan.

International Islamic Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ISESCO), which is o?ne of the Islamic Conference Organization?s structures, has named Tashkent a world capital of Islamic culture in 2007.

On 20 November 2006 the Constitutional Court of the Republic of Uzbekistan issued a ruling on the interpretation of part 1 of article 10 of the Law \"On guarantees and measures for the protection of the rights of foreign investors\" (the \"Law\")

A mission of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) visited the Republic of Uzbekistan from November 30 through December 13, 2006 to hold discussions with the Government of Uzbekistan within the framework of 2006 Article IV consultations. The mission was headed by Ms. Sena Eken, assistant director in the Middle East and Central Asia Department of the IMF.

The Senate of Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan adopted a Resolution ?On Amnesty in Connection with the Fourteenth Anniversary of the Constitution of the Republic of Uzbekistan?.

To date 2222 religious organizations of 16 confessions are registered in the state justice agencies of Uzbekistan.

In conformity with the Article 83 of the Constitution of the Republic of Uzbekistan, the President, in line with the order of legislative initiative, put forward for the consideration of the Legislative Chamber of Oliy Majlis the draft law \"On strengthening the role of political parties in renewal and further democratization of state administration and modernization of the country\", and a draft law envisaging the introduction of amendments to certain articles of the Constitution.

The Second Uzbek International Cotton Fair was held in Tashkent from 17th through 18th of October.

Since the first days of Independence in the Republic of Uzbekistan judicial - legal reform which since August, 29, 2001, the day of acceptance of the Law ?On introduction of amendments and additions in Criminal, Criminal-Procedural codes and liberalization of criminal punishments? began to be carried out at qualitatively new level - at a level of fundamental democratization of criminal policy which is being conducted gradually step by step.

On July 21, 2006 the law of the Republic of Uzbekistan ?On copyright and related rights? in a new edition came into effect.

?On additional measures to prepare legislative and normative-legal acts that are subject to adoption in virtue of abolishment of death penalty in the Republic of Uzbekistan?

Upbringing of healthy young generation is one of the main objectives of state policy in Uzbekistan.