At the beginning of the solemn event, US Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs Donald Lu praised the professional qualities of the new US Ambassador to Uzbekistan.

He stressed that the ambassador has extensive experience in public diplomacy, crisis management and conflict prevention. Referring to his profound knowledge of Central Asia from his time at Columbia University and subsequent appointment as Third Secretary at the US Embassy in Tashkent (1994-1996), Donald Lu expressed confidence that Jonathan Hanick, given his experience and deep understanding strategic importance of Uzbekistan, will further deepen US-Uzbek relations.

In turn, Jonathan Hanick, thanking for the high confidence placed in him, noted that “representing the United States in Uzbekistan is a great honor in the life of a diplomat”. He recalled his first visit to Uzbekistan as a university student in the early 1990s and his first diplomatic service in Tashkent. The American diplomat stressed that from the moment of his first visit he was convinced of the special hospitality, sincerity and kindness of the people of Uzbekistan.

He assured that he will make every effort to fully develop the US-Uzbek strategic partnership, support the independence, sovereignty and security of Uzbekistan, as well as the further democratic and economic development of the country.

According to the Embassy of Uzbekistan in the United States, during the meeting held after the official ceremony, Javlon Vakhabov and Jonathan Hanick discussed the current state and prospects for the development of Uzbek-American cooperation. The mutual readiness of the parties to expand a constructive political dialogue was emphasized. The presence of significant potential for the development of bilateral relations in the areas of trade, investment, agriculture, education, tourism and cultural and humanitarian cooperation was noted.

Jonathan Hanick, as ambassador to Uzbekistan, succeeded Daniel Rosenblum, who headed the US diplomatic mission in Tashkent in 2019-2022 and was confirmed by the US Senate as the new ambassador to Kazakhstan.

Until the arrival of the new ambassador, the duties of the US Chargé d’Affaires in Uzbekistan are being performed by Deputy Head of the Diplomatic Mission Paul Politis.