Brussels, 13/11/2006 (Agence Europe) - On Monday, the Council reiterated its deep concern at the human rights situation in Uzbekistan, extending the embargo on weapons for the country for a year and the visa restrictions by six months. This sanction regime, which was imposed in November 2005 as a response to the Andijan massacres of May of the same year, expires on 14 November 2006. Its extension, however, will be coupled with a revision clause and measures will be reviewed after three months, in light of actions by the Uzbek government in the field of human rights, according to the conclusions. Tashkent's announcement of a meeting at some point this year between European and Uzbek experts to discuss the events of Andijan, on which the EU had called for an independent international investigation, will pave the way for improved dialogue between the EU and the Central Asian republic, the foreign affairs ministers go on to state. The Council then decided to relaunch technical meetings within the framework of the Cooperation and Partnership Agreement, with a view to ensuring that Uzbekistan respects its obligations in the field of human rights, the rule of law and fundamental freedoms. (ab)