Luxembourg, 03/10/2005 (Agence Europe) - As expected, the General Affairs and External Relations Council in Luxembourg on 3 October decided to impose sanctions on Uzbekistan following the violence in May 2005 in the region of Andijan and President Karimov's refusal to allow an independent international investigation despite repeated calls from the international community, including the EU (see EUROPE 9038). On Monday, the EU's foreign ministers imposed an embargo on exports to Uzbekistan of arms, military equipment and other equipment that might be used for internal repression and decided to implement restrictions on admission to the EU of individuals 'directly responsible for the indiscriminate and disproportionate use of force in Andijan.' On Monday, the ministers asked the relevant Council bodies to embark on the necessary preparations to this end. The Council decided to immediately suspend sine die all scheduled technical meetings under the EU's Partnership and Cooperation Agreement with Uzbekistan, and supports the Commission's re-orientation and reduction of the TACIS programme in order to support increased focus on the needs of the population, democracy and human rights. These measures will last for a least one year, during which the Council will closely monitor the situation and adapt them appropriately should President Karimov's regime decide to alter course.