Tashkent, Uzbekistan, Jan.27
By Demir Azizov - Trend:
EU Special Representative for Central Asia, Patricia Flor discussed with the Uzbek government prospects of EU assistance to the country in 2014 and in the future, including support for rural development and the start of the bilateral dialogue on water policy within the EU Water Initiative, the EU delegation in Uzbekistan said in its report, released on the official visit of Flor to Tashkent.
According to the report, during her visit the EU Special Representative held constructive meetings with First Deputy Prime Minister and Uzbek Finance Minister Rustam Azimov, Foreign Minister Abdulaziz Kamilov, Deputy Minister of Economy Dilmurod Turdiev, Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Water Resources Shavkat Khamrayev.
During the visit, Flor also held meetings with representatives of civil society in Uzbekistan.
"At the meeting, the sides exchanged views on various aspects of cooperation between the EU and Uzbekistan, including the areas of security, energy, water management, economic cooperation and governance," the report said.
During the meetings, Flor stressed the EU's readiness to continue to support Uzbekistan in strengthening the rule of law and touched on human rights issues.
The parties also discussed the possibility of expanding bilateral trade and investment cooperation and major events in the Central Asian region.
According to the report, the purpose of the dialogue of the EU-Central Asia for the Environment on the principles of the EU Water Initiative is to develop proposals for the creation of systems of integrated water resources management at the regional level.
In February 2013 at the conference "EU-Central Asia: Cooperation Platform for Environmental Protection and Water Resources", Flor supported the position of Uzbekistan, in particular its requirements for the international examination of environmental impact of construction of planned facilities, including Kambarata HPP.
Translated by M.L.
Edited by C.N.