First Deputy Justice Minister of Uzbekistan Esenmurat Kanyazov headed the sub-committee from the Uzbek side, and head of the Southern Caucasus and Central Asia Unit of the European Union Victor Andres Maldonado – the EU delegation.

Opening the event, the head of EU side of the sub-committee underlined that relations between Uzbekistan and EU was lifted to new level. He said that the visit of Uzbek President Islam Karimov to Brussels in January 2011 and meeting with European Commission President José Manuel Barroso stimulated development of bilateral relations.

Victor Andres Maldonado said that the achieved agreements within the visit open new perspectives for cooperation between Uzbekistan and the EU, while signed agreement on establishment of EU delegation create strong foundation for strengthening mutual trust. He said that the EU is for further expanding relations with Uzbekistan and welcomed opening of EU diplomatic mission in Tashkent. He underlined that the EU pay special attention to strengthening and expanding cooperation in justice, home affairs, migration and security.

The EU side positively rated support of Uzbekistan on implementation of the EU Strategy for Central Asia, including initiative of the EU on rule of law.

Victor Andres Maldonado said that the EU welcomes gradual judicial-legal reforms in Uzbekistan, which is part of democratic development and formation of strong civil society.

It was noted that the Concept on further deepening democratic reforms and forming civil society in Uzbekistan is action plan, implementation of which is important for further democratization and social-economic development of the government, as well as formation of civil society, protection of human rights and freedoms.

The European side expressed readiness to continue cooperation with Uzbekistan in this direction through exchanging experience and rendering expert and technical assistance, and informed upcoming steps in implementation of EC projects “Support of criminal and judicial reforms in Uzbekistan” and “Further strengthening bilateral parliamentary system in Uzbekistan and development of relations with regional councils”.

The agenda of the meeting also included issues of migration and border management, combating terrorism, money laundering and financing of terrorism, drug trafficking and corruption, as well as strengthening judicial system, rule of law and good governance, activit of national human rights protection institutes, and others.

During the discussion, the sides praised a seminar on “Migration management and migration policy”, which was held in Tashkent on 4-7 June 2011 within joint programme European Commission and International Center for Development of Migration Policy.

The European delegation positively rated interaction of Uzbekistan with the European Union on such issues as strengthening border and combating drug trafficking within the BOMCA/CADAP programme, which become one of effective EU initiative in the Central Asian region.

In its turn, the Uzbek side presented information on policy of Uzbekistan in migration issues, including legislation, administrative and international legal base on regulation of legal migration, measures on ensuring security of documents, protection of migrants’ rights, fighting illegal migration and human trafficking, as well as international and regional cooperation in this area.

Discussing issues of fighting terrorism, the sides underlined that fighting it is important tasks of the EU and Uzbekistan. The sides expressed interest in exchange of experience in the field. The European side underlined importance of adopted legal and organizational measures in Uzbekistan on preventing and fighting money laundering and financing of terrorism.

During discussion of drug trafficking problems, the sides underlined that neighbourhood of Uzbekistan to Afghanistan, which is main producer of drug in the world. It was noted that it is vital to develop international cooperation in this area, both in bilateral and multilateral level, including within the SCO, UN and OSCE.

The meeting also discussed activity of national institutes on protecting of human rights, conditions in jails, development of civil society, cooperation within international organizations in human rights sphere, including within the UN, OSCE and ILO, bilateral cooperation projects and others.

Discussing bilateral cooperation projects, the European side expressed satisfaction with implementation of Partnership and Institutional Development Programme, within which 20 projects were implemented in last nine years.

The meeting underlined significant progress in combating human trafficking and faith freedom in Uzbekistan. It was noted that the country registered religious organizations, representing 16 various religions, and they are operating freely.

The Uzbek side said that Uzbekistan introduced practice on organization of parliamentary hearing on execution of international conventions, reports of Uzbekistan to various UN agencies.

At the end of the meeting, the sides stress that the negotiations became important step in further deepening dialogue between Uzbekistan and the EU. During discussions, the sides determine many areas, serving as ground for further developing and expanding cooperation between Uzbekistan and the European Union, including implementation of projects in Uzbekistan.

It was underlined that the level and quality of dialogue is growing each year and mutual trust and understanding is strengthening.