COOPERATION BETWEEN UZBEKISTAN AND THE EU IS REACHING A NEW LEVEL
On July 6 this year, the initialing ceremony of the Enhanced Partnership and Cooperation Agreement between the Republic of Uzbekistan and the European Union took place in Brussels. The event was attended Deputy Prime Minister - Minister of Investments and Foreign Trade of the Republic of Uzbekistan Sardor Umurzakov – from the Uzbek side and Head of the Cabinet of the EU High Representative Pedro Serrano – from the European side.
The new agreement is intended to replace the existing Partnership and Cooperation Agreement (PCA) between Uzbekistan and the EU of 1996 and bring bilateral cooperation to a qualitatively new level.
The current PCA mainly contains provisions on political dialogue, cooperation in the fields of democracy, human rights, promotion of cultural ties, financial and technical cooperation, investment, trade in goods and services, as well as intellectual property protection.
PRESIDENTS OF UZBEKISTAN AND TURKEY HOLD A TELEPHONE CONVERSATION
On July 5, the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev held a telephone conversation with the President of the Republic of Turkey Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
The Leaders discussed the implementation of the agreements reached at the second meeting of the Strategic Partnership Council, held in Tashkent in March this year.
The President of Turkey expressed the firm support for the efforts of the President of Uzbekistan to ensure peace, stability, and sustainable development in the Republic of Karakalpakstan.
STATEMENT OF THE MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS OF THE REPUBLIC OF UZBEKISTAN
Some mass media and human rights organizations, with reference to unnamed sources, exaggerate various kinds of assumptions and unreliable reports about the events in the city of Nukus of the Republic of Karakalpakstan.
Unfounded statements are being made about the allegedly illegal use of force to "disperse a peaceful rally," "silencing independent voices and blocking information," including by declaring a state of emergency.
In this regard, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Uzbekistan would like to clarify the events in Karakalpakstan and provide more detailed and objective information on this case.
ON THE POLICY OF THE UZBEK LEADERSHIP TO SUPPORT THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF KARAKALPAKSTAN
1. Uzbekistan has always given priority to promoting the development of the Republic of Karakalpakstan. This largest region of the country in terms of territory has large natural and raw materials and agricultural resources, labor potential, transport networks and industrial infrastructure.
The sustainable development of this region is hampered by the negative impact of the ecological crisis of the Aral Sea region, difficult climatic conditions, low population density, low quality of land and water resources, and transport remoteness of settlements. According to UN estimates, most of the region is an arid zone, highly prone to land degradation. All this has an impact on the economic development of Karakalpakstan, social well-being and health of the population, attracting the constant attention of Tashkent.
MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF UZBEKISTAN SHAVKAT MIRZIYOYEV
Dear Compatriots and Deputies of Jokary Kenes!