Azeri leader congratulates Karimov on Uzbek election victory

"Your victory in these elections convincingly confirms that the fraternal people of Uzbekistan support the well-considered and consistent policy that you have been pursing for a long  time," Aliyev said in his message to Karimov.

"Today Uzbekistan is confidently working to bolster its independence and democracy and is playing a worthy role in the international arena," Aliyev said. "Uzbekistan's socioeconomic development is progressing at a rapid pace and its international standing keeps growing."

 

Karimov won his fifth term in office in Sunday's elections disputed by the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe. He has led Uzbekistan since 1989.