MOSCOW, July 10, 2023 (BSS/AFP) - Russian President Vladimir Putin on Monday congratulated his Uzbek counterpart Shavkat Mirziyoyev for winning a third term at the head of the tightly controlled, gas-rich Central Asian state.

"This convincing electoral victory confirms your high political authority and points to the broad, popular support for your policy of large-scale reforms," Putin said in a telegram message published on the Kremlin website.