‘Concept of intensifying democratic reforms and forming the civil society in the country’, put forward by the head of the state in November 2010, has been one of the key priorities of parliamentary activities in 2011. It outlines six major areas: democratization of state authority and administration, reformation of the judicial system and information sector, ensuring of freedom of speech, information, and choice, development of electoral legislation, formation and development of civil society institutions and the further deepening of democratic reforms and market liberalization. Both houses of parliament adopted their action programs on implementation of the tasks outlined in this policy document. New laws have been discussed and adopted during the year including the laws ‘On introducing amendments and additions to certain articles of the Constitution of the Republic of Uzbekistan (Articles 78, 80, 93, 96 and 98)’, ‘On competition’, ‘On introducing amendments and additions to the Law of the Republic of Uzbekistan ‘On telecommunications’, ‘On introducing amendments and additions to the Law of the Republic of Uzbekistan ‘On guarantees of freedom of entrepreneurship’, ‘On introducing amendments and additions to the Law of the Republic of Uzbekistan ‘On foreign investments’ and others. The work on new legislative acts, initiated by the state’s leader, is continuing. Many of them were considered by the Legislative Chamber of the parliament in the first and second readings, and are now being finalized.

In line with the amendments introduced to the country’s Principal Law, both houses of parliament held their first joint session in mid-summer where they discussed the ‘Program of measures taken by the government on deepening of democratic market reforms and economic liberalization’, as well as the course of implementation of the State Program the Year of Small Business and Private Entrepreneurship. The state of implementation was reported by the Prime Minister of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev.

In compliance with amendments and additions to the Constitution, adopted by the country's parliament, the houses of Oliy Majlis are authorized to hear the report of the Prime Minister of the Republic of Uzbekistan on topical issues of socio-economic development. The joint meeting of the Legislative Chamber and the Senate was the first step in implementation of the regulations of the abovementioned law, which has become an important factor in terms of improvement of parliamentary control over the activities of executive authorities on central and local levels, further development of policy of checks and balances in the government system, and enhancement of the role of parliament in democratic and socio-economic reformation.

The implementation of the State Program the Year of Small Business and Private Entrepreneurship is another topical trend of the Parliament’s activities in 2011. During the year the parliamentarians have been monitoring the execution of the current legislation in the sector, and improving certain laws, including the Law ‘On introducing amendments and additions to the Law of the Republic of Uzbekistan ‘On Bankruptcy’, ‘On the exchange of credit information’, ‘On introducing amendments and additions to the Articles 26 and 27 of the Law of the Republic of Uzbekistan on mineral resources’ and others.

Along with that, both houses of Oliy Majlis carried out parliamentary control over the execution of the State Budget of 2011, the Job Creation and Employment Program for 2011 adopted by the parliament, as well as relevant laws ensuring the efficient operation of various spheres of life.

  Undoubtedly, the year 2011 has been a year of further democratization of parliamentary activity, improvement of forms and methods of work, and mechanisms of interaction of the parliament with the media, executive and judicial branches of government. By tradition, the deputies visited their constituency, and studied the situation locally in compliance with the planned schedule. The mechanism of guest meetings of the upper house of parliament enabled the Senate to effectively exploit the potential of people's representatives of local Councils in addressing specific issues of social and economic development of the regions.

The final outcomes of 2011 will be summed up by the parliament later. It is obvious that the huge fundamental work that was accomplished by both houses of parliament can not be covered fully in one short article. But we are confident that it is not a matter of figures. Most importantly is that the adopted laws were viable and efficient in operation.