During a second monitoring mission to Uzbekistan between 14 and 20 March, a team of EU officials assessed the progress made in implementing 27 United Nations conventions applicable under the EU’s GSP+ scheme.
This trade regime aims to support countries considered vulnerable by eliminating import duties on products entering the EU.
“The effective implementation of international commitments forms the basis of Uzbekistan’s privileged access to the EU market”, said EU Ambassador Toivo Klaar.
The European External Action Service (EEAS) reported on 23 March that the mission had met with representatives of the government, civil society and international partners.
The independence of civil society, freedom of expression and of the media, the judiciary’s independence, corruption and gender-based violence were the main issues addressed. The mission also took note of concerns about persistent difficulties in registering NGOs and torture in detention.
The EU did, however, acknowledge Uzbekistan’s efforts to combat corruption, upcoming improvements in labour rights to allow the right to strike, and the progress made in eliminating forced labour and child labour in the cotton harvest.
EU officials have made preliminary recommendations to the government. Follow-up and engagement with the latter will be the subject of a report to the European Parliament and EU Council in the near future. (Original version in French by Pauline Denys)