Brussels, 23/05/2005 (Agence Europe) - The foreign ministers of the EU, meeting on 23 May for the “External Relations” Council under the presidency of Luxembourg's Jean Asselborn, described themselves as “profoundly concerned” by recent developments in eastern Uzbekistan, and appealed to the Tashkent authorities to accede to UN requests to conduct an independent international investigation into recent violent acts of repression by security forces against the opposition. “The Council profoundly regrets the fact that the Uzbek authorities have, until now, failed adequately to respond to the UN's call for an independent international investigation into these events and urges the Uzbek authorities to reconsider their position”, read the conclusions adopted by the Council. “Depending on the response [to this appeal], the Council will consider further steps”, the ministers warned. International humanitarian organisations must have immediate and unconditional access to the region in question, the Council added, speaking out against “recourse to excessive, disproportionate and indiscriminate violence” by the Uzbek security forces. The Council urges all sides to work towards a peaceful and sustainable solution. The Twenty-Five reiterate that Uzbekistan must respect its international commitments in the fields of democracy, the rule of law and human rights, particularly their commitments taken as part of the Partnership and Cooperation Agreement with the EU, and that of the OSCE. “The Council stands ready to use instruments available within the framework of the EU/Uzbekistan Partnerships and Cooperation Agreement to assist the affected population in its immediate humanitarian needs”, the ministers stated.