The EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Josep Borrell, met with Uzbekistan’s Foreign Minister, Vladimir Norov, on Tuesday 6 September in Brussels. This was an opportunity for both interlocutors to welcome the recent conclusion of the negotiations on the EU-Uzbekistan Enhanced Cooperation Partnership Agreement (see EUROPE 12988/23).
The EU High Representative also welcomed the political and economic reforms undertaken by Tashkent. However, he was also keen to ask for an update on investigations launched after major protests in Uzbekistan’s administrative region of Karakalpakstan in July following a proposal to amend the Constitution.
The European External Action Service (EEAS) had called for an independent investigation into the violent repression of the protesters (see EUROPE 12985/22). In this context, Josep Borrell reminded the Foreign Minister of “the importance of meaningful consultations with stakeholders, especially in the case of changes to the Constitution”, according to an EEAS spokesperson. (Original version in French by Léa Marchal)