UZBEKISTAN SATISFIED WITH EU TALKS – FOREIGN MINISTRY

A delegation of Uzbekistan led by Foreign Minister Vladimir Norov participated at the eighth meeting of the Cooperation Council between the European Union (EU) and the Republic of Uzbekistan on 16 September, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Uzbekistan said on its press release on 17 September. The ministry said the meeting's participants discussed current affairs and perspectives of relations, implementation of EU Strategy for Central Asia. The sides exchanged opinion on regional and international issues, development process in Uzbekistan and the EU.
Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Uzbekistan said the meeting became another step in strengthening of positive dynamics in bilateral relations between Uzbekistan and the EU, their deepening and expansion. During the discussions, the sides achieved mutual understanding on all discussed issues, which once more proves the importance of joint efforts in further development of bilateral relations and cooperation in Central Asia-EU format, taking into account common interests and tasks. Uzbek Foreign Minister confirmed principle position of Uzbekistan in strengthening and developing relations with the EU in all directions based on such foundations as equality, mutual respect and non-intervention into internal affairs and taking into account pragmatism and interests of the sides. It was noted that double standards are unacceptable. The Uzbek ministry said the long-term and sustainable bilateral cooperation, based on partnership and trust, meets interests of Uzbekistan and the EU. At the same time, the cooperation shall develop based on gradual moves from both of the sides. The Uzbek side expressed readiness to assist to successful realization of the EU Strategy for Central Asia both on regional and bilateral level, as well as implementation of concrete programmes and projects with the EU on all directions, which meet interests of the states. The ministry said on its press release that full and effective realization of the Strategy is imposable without the participation of Uzbekistan, which possesses several "important strategic characteristics". These are key geopolitical location in the center of the region, economic, transport-communication, resource and human potential, unique culturalhistoric heritage. The delegation of Uzbekistan called the European side actively use existing institutional base like Cooperation Council, Parliamentary Cooperation Committee, Cooperation Committee and sub-committees between Uzbekistan and the EU to hold regular dialogue on all issues of mutual interest. The Uzbek sides expressed its satisfaction with the circumstantial discussion of the situation in Central Asia, issues of peacekeeping and security in Afghanistan and other international issues.

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