The participants in the meeting of foreign ministers of the European Commission [as published, the EU] held in Luxembourg on 15 October confirmed that the EU intends to start a dialogue with Uzbekistan in many fields and hopes that both sides will step up cooperation in the implementation of the EU’s Central Asian strategy.

Uzbek newspaper Delovoy Partner Uzbekistana reported on 18 October: "A decision was made during the meeting that the EU will establish a real political dialogue with Uzbekistan in all fields specified in its Central Asian strategy and will step up collaboration with it. These fields include reforms in the judicial, education and trade sectors, economic reforms, energy, climate change, security and human rights."

The meeting welcomed Uzbekistan’s striving for a dialogue and the positive results reached in relations between the EU and Uzbekistan this year. Two rounds of talks on the mass disorders in Andijon and the first talks on human rights have already been held between EU experts and Uzbekistan, the report said.

The meeting also decided to extend arms embargo on Uzbekistan for a year.