01/12/2016 (Agence Europe) – On Wednesday 30 November, the spokesperson for the European External Action Service said that the release of Samandar Kukanov, after 23 years in prison, sends "an encouraging political message for the overall political space in Uzbekistan", as well as for further strengthening of bilateral relations between the EU and the central Asian country. Kukanov had been imprisoned in 1993 when he was a member of parliament. "The entry into force of the amnesty law, as foreseen by the Government of Uzbekistan for early December 2016, which should lead to the release of additional prisoners, would be another positive step in this regard", the spokesperson added. The EU will continue to engage with Uzbekistan on human rights, including in the annual human rights dialogue, the spokesperson stated. (CG)