Foreign Minister of Uzbekistan Vladimir Norov met head of foreign affairs commission of lower house of Italian parliament Umberto Ranieri in Italy, Italian media reported.

Uzbek official arrived in Italy to attend international conference on the role of Italy and perspectives of cooperation of Europe with Asian states.

The reports said Umberto Ranier noted Italy assigns strategic importance to development of relations with Central Asian countries. He underlined that entire region should respect human rights, political freedoms and democratic principles.

Ranieri welcomed abolishment of death penalty in Uzbekistan from 1 January 2008.