President of Uzbekistan received EU Special Representative for Central Asia

On January 17 this year at the Oksaroy Residence in Tashkent the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Islam Karimov received the EU Special Representative for Central Asia Pierre Morel.

President has said that he respects Mr. Morel as a person to have worthily contributed to the development of cooperation between the European Union and the countries of Central Asia, and particularly, Uzbekistan.

The European Union regards the relations with the countries of Central Asia with a special attention. On its initiative in 2004 the regional dialogue “European Union – Central Asia” was established and from then the sides held three international forums.

Last year during the German EU chairmanship the long-term strategy of the European Union on Central Asia has been elaborated. Early this year Slovenia took over the chairmanship and the EU has commended the abolishment of death penalty in Uzbekistan effective from January 1, 2008 and transferring to the courts the right to issue the arrest warrants.

The “United Europe” is interested in extending the relations with Central Asia, including Uzbekistan – one of the leading states in the region. The rich natural resources and ever growing economic potential serve as the basis for that, and the consolidation of global security is a political precondition to it.

The volume of annual trade turnover of Uzbekistan with the EU countries exceeds 1,5 billion US dollars. There are nearly 700 companies established along with the investors from the European Union in Uzbekistan. Hundreds of EU firms and companies have opened their representations in the country.

Uzbekistan and the EU actively cooperate in the spheres of education, know-how, audit, transports, energy, drug substances control and other areas.

At the Oksaroy talks Mr. Morel has thanked the Uzbek Leader for the sincere welcome. He is also reported to have congratulated Islam Karimov on his reelection to the post of President of the Republic of Uzbekistan.

“The EU considers Uzbekistan as a reliable partner and supports strengthening and expansion of further cooperation with it,” – Mr. Morel said.