Uzbekistan, EU ready to develop long-term partnership

18 July 2017 17:45 (UTC+04:00)

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Uzbekistan and the European Union expressed readiness to develop long-term and mutually beneficial partnership on a wide range of issues both in bilateral format and at interregional level during the 13th meeting of the EU-Uzbekistan Cooperation Council, said the Uzbek Foreign Ministry.

Uzbekistan’s delegation was headed by Foreign Minister Abdulaziz Kamilov during the summit held recently in Brussels, Belgium.

During the meeting, issues of bilateral agenda and the implementation of previously reached agreements were substantively discussed, according to the message.

The delegations of Uzbekistan and the European Union noted the interest in consolidating efforts in the fight against terrorism, religious extremism, the spread of drugs and other types of organized crime. Prospects for cultural and humanitarian cooperation were also discussed at the meeting.

Before the meeting, a brief ceremony was held on signing a protocol to the agreement on partnership and cooperation in connection with Croatia’s accession to the EU.

From the Uzbek side, the document was signed by Foreign Minister Abdulaziz Kamilov, from the European Union – by Sven Mikser, Foreign Minister of Estonia, which chairs the EU, and Petros Sourmelis, head of European Commission Directorate-General for Trade.

Uzbekistan and the EU signed an agreement on partnership and cooperation in 1996. The EU’s diplomatic representation was opened in Uzbekistan in 2012.

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