In reply to a Turkish journalist’s question about comments saying that elections in the Central Asian countries are "not democratic", Islam Karimov said:

"There have been such views, there are today and there will be tomorrow. One should not be surprised at this. Because it is politics. These politics have meaning, content and, if you like, they have their goal. I think that our public should look at this from this point of view. What can we do? If they have such a policy, let it be. But I think that time will come and they will understand. The Uzbek people will be grateful if there are more journalists like you, that is journalists who talk objectively, who see [things] objectively and who understand objectively. We have always lived with our intelligence. We will live with our intelligence in the future as well. That is we know ourselves with who we will be on good terms and, if you like, with who we will further strengthen relations. We have our own pride, dignity, life and goals. We will pursue a real policy to achieve these goals."