Timur Akhmedov, Head of Department at the Institute for Strategic and Regional Studies under the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan (ISRS), as part of the Uzbek delegation, took part in consultations with the leadership of the International Institute for the Protection of Justice and the Rule of Law (IIJ), which took place on October 1-2, 2025, in Valletta (Malta).

The consultations focused on issues of prosecution, rehabilitation, and reintegration of returnees (PRR). Representatives from the Supreme Court, the Prosecutor General's Office, the Ministry of Internal Affairs, and the State Security Service participated.

During the discussions, the parties exchanged views on the progress of the European Union project aimed at strengthening Uzbekistan's national capacity in the field of PRR.

Participants noted the progressive development of cooperation between the Republic of Uzbekistan and the European Union in the areas of security and the fight against terrorism and extremism.

In this context, the leadership of the International Institute for the Protection of Justice and the Rule of Law (IIJ) highly commended the work of the Regional Expert Council on the Rehabilitation and Reintegration of Returnees (RES), established at the initiative of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan. They noted Uzbekistan's successful chairmanship of the Council, as well as the organization of several events within the RES working groups, in which IIJ experts actively participated.

Particular attention was given to the initiative of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan to transform the Regional Economic Zone into an International Competence Center, announced at the 80th session of the UN General Assembly. It was emphasized that its implementation is in line with the shared interests of strengthening international cooperation in the areas of security and PRR.

During the Uzbek delegation's visit to Valletta, meetings were also held with representatives of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry for Home Affairs, Security and Employment and the Attorney General's Office of the Republic of Malta. During the talks, the parties discussed prospects for expanding cooperation between the two countries' law enforcement agencies, as well as exchanging experience in maintaining law and order and addressing contemporary security challenges.

The IIJ was founded in 2014 at the initiative of the Global Counterterrorism Forum (GCTF). The organization's headquarters are located in Valletta, Malta.

The IIJ's mission is to strengthen the capacity of criminal justice professionals to effectively counter terrorism and related transnational crimes. It works in partnership with the UN, relevant agencies, and other international and regional organizations.