OREANDA-NEWS. July 31, 2012. President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Islam Karimov at the Oqsaroy met with Patricia Flor, the newly appointed Special Representative of the European Union for Central Asia.

In June 1996, the heads of state and government signed the Partnership and Cooperation Agreement between Uzbekistan and the European Union in Florence. The document laid a foundation for a comprehensive consolidation of relations with the united Europe.

The Uzbek leader’s January 2011 visit to Brussels and the deals penned during that trip have helped uplift our relations to a qualitatively new level. A robust institutional base has been built between Uzbekistan and the EU in the form of joint bilateral and multilateral cooperation bodies that have proved vital as a platform for dialogue. The inauguration of EU Delegation (Representation) in Tashkent has come to be suggestive of the two sides’ endeavor to boost the bilateral interaction.

The current state and prospects of Uzbekistan-EU bonds, stability and security issues in Central Asia, along with other topics of shared interest have been discussed during the meeting at the Oqsaroy.

The parties underscored the common willingness to further expand the bilateral partnership at various levels, building on principles of mutual respect and confidence. The sessions of parliamentary cooperation joint committee as well as Uzbekistan-European Union cooperation committee and their outcomes have been referred to as important strides in the steadfast enhancement of political and economic interaction.

A particular emphasis has been placed on bolstering trade-economic and investment-technological ties.

Essential significance is attached in Uzbekistan to cooperation with the European Union in fostering democratic processes, securing the rule of law, forming civil society, protecting human rights and freedoms.

Patricia Flor expressed gratitude to President Islam Karimov for a warm welcome and the detailed exchange of views on key aspects of bilateral relations, the pressing issues in regional and international politics. The Special Representative noted also the EU’s interest in the dynamic development of cooperation with Uzbekistan.