OREANDA-NEWS. On January 17, 2007 President of Uzbekistan Islam Karimov in his Oksaroy residence in Tashkent received the European Union Special Representative for Central Asia Pierre Morel, reported the Official website www.mf.uz.

Welcoming the guest, the Uzbek leader expressed his deep respect as Pierre Morel has made worthy contribution in the development of cooperation between the European Union and the Central Asian countries, in particular Uzbekistan, UzA reported.

EU pays special attention to the mutual relations with the countries of the Central Asian region. A regional dialogue "European Union – Central Asia" was created in 2004 and three international forums were held on the EU initiative.

A long-term EU strategy for Central Asia was developed last year during the chairmanship of Germany. This year Slovenia took over the EU chairmanship and it recognized the abolition of death penalty, as well as transfer to courts of the right to issue sanctions for taking into custody in Uzbekistan starting from 1 January 2008.

EU is interested in the enhancement of cooperation with the Central Asian countries, including Uzbekistan – one of the leading states of the region. The abundant natural resources and growing economic potential of the country are the basis, along with strengthening global security as a precondition for that.

Taking into account that many European countries have an increasing demand for the Uzbek cotton fibre and natural gas, it becomes obvious how economic cooperation is important. The favourable geo-strategic location of Uzbekistan expands the opportunities for development of ties in transport sphere, as well as carrying out reconstruction work in Afghanistan, and as a whole for strengthening collaboration in deed of ensuring regional security.

The volume of annual commodity circulation of Uzbekistan with the EU countries exceeds US$1,5 billion. Some 700 enterprises founded in cooperation with investors from EU member states are operating in Uzbekistan, along with the representative offices and missions of hundreds of companies and organizations of the EU countries.

Uzbekistan is cooperating with the EU in such fields, as education, know-how, standardization and certification, audit, transport, power engineering and drug traffic control.

Pierre Morel thanked the Uzbek President for sincere reception, congratulated Islam Karimov with the re-election as the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan. The EU Special Representative noted that the EU considered Uzbekistan as a reliable partner and supported the strengthening and expansion of further cooperation with the Central Asian country.