The “Uzbekistan – European Union” Committee for Parliamentary Cooperation was set up in 1999, thanks to which bilateral ties have been developing dynamically.

The Committee has convened for a meeting in the Legislative Chamber of Oliy Majlis, during which the members discussed issues pertinent to the consolidation of relations between Uzbekistan and the EU, in particular in the socio-economic, investment, financial and legal spheres, as well as in the field of protection of human rights and freedoms. Apart from that, the sides discussed measures on building up the constructive dialogue and partnership to address threats to regional and international security.

The meeting participants noted with satisfaction Uzbekistan’s dynamically developing cooperation with the European Union, including that in the parliamentary field. Speaking at the forum the deputies of the Euro parliament admitted that Uzbekistan remains committed to democratic reforms and loyal to its international obligations. High level of maturity and sustainability of the government administration system, development of democratic processes and institutions serve as foundation for the further growth in the country’s standing in the international arena.

The Uzbek side presented detailed information on the reforms being carried out in building up a democratic constitutional state and in shaping a strong civil society. In particular, special attention is paid to moves aimed at further securing the accelerated development of small businesses and private entrepreneurship, consolidation of legal mechanisms for the protection and inviolability of private property, as well as reforming the judicial and legislative systems and reliable consolidation of the citizens’ rights and freedoms.

The meeting participants specifically noted the growing role of Oliy Majlis in deepening democratic processes and development of a constitutional society. The implemented measures on the improvement of legal mechanisms regulating the activity of the parliament serve this cause, in particular, they underlined the significance of the Law “On parliamentary control” adopted earlier this year.

In the course of discussion of measures within the framework of presidential elections due 4th of December this year it was noted that all necessary conditions had been created in Uzbekistan for conducting open and fair democratic elections. The invitation of international observers for monitoring the process of preparation for and holding the presidential elections was evaluated in a positive way.

The European parliamentarians highly assessed the results of democratic reforms being carried out in this country in different spheres of the society’s life, they noted Uzbekistan’s stance on the issues of securing stability and security in the Central Asian region, including on the problems of fighting terrorism, extremism and illegal drug trafficking. An interest was expressed in the further development of trade-economic, investment and scientific-technical cooperation between Uzbekistan and the European Union member-states.

A decision was taken on the results of the meeting on the further activation of inter-parliamentarian cooperation, realization of the Indicative promotion program for 2014-2020, boosting the trade and economic bonds between Uzbekistan and the EU, conducting joint international conferences, trainings, workshops and such other events on pooling the parliamentarians’ experiences.

“The attitude of the European Union and the Euro parliament to your country has always been noted for its warmth and friendliness,” noted chairperson of the European parliament delegation on relations with the CA countries Iveta Grigule (Latvia). “A great number of projects have been implemented during the past years in all spheres, including in education, social support, regional development, and rural economy. These are the most priority directions for the feasible future for our joint partnership. I think that the support from the side of the European Union will only keep growing up.”

“This current meeting served as a good platform for discussion of urgent problems and exchange of experience,” said member of the European parliament delegation Brando Bonifei. “There are opportunities for opening up the Republic’s business market for European companies. And the talk is not only about imports of European goods to Uzbekistan, but also about emergence of Uzbekistani commodities in our markets.”