Brussels, 29/01/2002 (Agence Europe) - The European Union has expressed its desire that the strengthened co-operation between Uzbekistan and the international community (including the EU), since the attacks of 11 September, and the aid provided by countries in the region, within the framework of military and humanitarian intervention in Afghanistan, should be used for the basis for further regional co-operation, involving the majority of Central Asian countries. The EU conclusions, approved by the Spanish Foreign Affairs Minister, Josep Piqué (currently President of the Council of Ministers) and Catherine Day (Assistant Director General at the European Commission), as well as by the Uzbek Foreign Affairs Minister, Abdulazis Kamilov, outline the following: "the EU welcomes Uzbekistan's active involvement in the international coalition against terrorism. This coalition is now focusing on development, which should notably also lead to increased co-operation between the countries in Central Asia. The situation in and around Afghanistan offers the opportunity for renewed co-operation with Uzbekistan and Central Asia by eradicating significant factors which may lead to the growth of terrorism; and promoting sustainable development".
The different parties were all much more aware of the strategic importance of the Central Asian area since the attacks of 11 September. Mr Piqué stressed at a press conference that the EU had supported regional co-operation efforts in the past and would continue to do so in the future with more determination. Ms Day also referred to the changing context of EU-Uzbekistan relations since 11 September and the fact that everyone was involved in strategic rethinking with regard to the Central Asian region, including the EU. A number of different sectors were gearing up for increased regional co-operation in Central Asia, declared Ms Day. This involved the war on the production and trafficking of drugs; energy and transport infrastructures, strengthening of border controls, etc. Referring to the "political dialogue" dimension, on Tuesday, the EU insisted that Uzbekistan pushed forward with further efforts for democratisation, a State of Law, respect for human rights, freedom of the press and the implementation of a genuine market economy. Mr Piqué explained that this would be a preliminary conditions for ensuring stability and prosperity in the country, the region and for everybody. The EU also asked the Uzbeks to improve investment conditions for European businesses and investors and to continue with the liberalisation of the economy and trade. An agreement on the nuclear products trade (non-military) was initialled on Tuesday, within the activities of the Co-operation Council.
Current bilateral EU/Uzbek relations are covered by the Partnership and Co-operation Agreement (PCA). The Uzbek delegation suggested on Tuesday that they could go further than this agreement and examine other possible channels for strengthening their relationship.