After arrival to Brussels, Uzbek President held negotiations with the President of the European Union Commission Jose Manuel Barroso, EU Commissioner for energy Gunther Oettinger and NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen.

During the talks, the sides exchanged opinion on current affairs and perspectives of development of relations between Uzbekistan and the European Union and Uzbekistan and NATO, UzA reported.

The report noted that the meetings, both face-to-face and in expanded structure, of President Islam Karimov and EC President Jose Manuel Barroso lasted longer than earlier planned. The meeting was held in open and constructive atmosphere. During the talks, the sides discussed issues of developing cooperation, regional and international issues of mutual interest.

Jose Manuel Barroso said that current visit of the Uzbek President Islam Karimov is actual and timely, and there are all necessary conditions for strengthening bilateral interaction in politics, economy and other sectors.

The EC President expressed gratitude to the Uzbek leader for assistance in implementation of European Union strategy in Central Asia and expressed hope that the visit will become milestone in developing bilateral relations between Uzbekistan and the European Union.

The European Commission’s head noted that Uzbekistan recorded one of the highest economic growth in the world and the EU countries are ready actively participate in economic and structural reforms, providing high technologies for implementation of priority projects, development of infrastructure, training of specialists and expanding scientific-technical relations. The sides signed a memorandum on implementation of projects of financial and technical cooperation.

He underlined that mutual cooperation opens great perspectives in connection with signing of the memorandum on cooperation in energy, which envisages modernization of fuel-energy complex, energy saving technologies and development of transport-communication and transit corridors between the regions.

Uzbekistan welcomed pragmatic approach of the European Union on use of water resources of trans-boundary rivers in Central Asia. It was said that European Union believes that interested sides should develop sustainable and transparent mechanism of cooperation in water and energy issues based on preserving ecological balance and principle of fair and wise use of water resources of trans-boundary rivers.

Jose Manuel Barroso said that the EU leadership with interest accepted concept of further deepening democratic reforms and forming civil society in Uzbekistan, stated by the President Islam Karimov at joint session of both chamber of Oliy Majlis of Uzbekistan on 12 November 2010.

He said that the European Union is ready to assist in its implementation, including in preparation of legislative acts directed at strengthening democratic processes, development of independent mass media, further liberalization of judicial-legal systems. The sides underlined mutual interest in continuation of dialogue of human rights and rule of law.

The EC President expressed his respect to weighted and constructive position of the Uzbek President Islam Karimov during tragic events in southern Kyrgyzstan in June 2010. He said that clear-sighted policy of Uzbekistan helped to prevent escalation of conflict in critical situation and once again confirmed key role of Uzbekistan in keeping and strengthening stability and security in Central Asia.

The sides expressed interest in stabilization of situation in Kyrgyzstan. European Union leadership confirmed their position on necessity of holding independent investigation of tragic events, in southern Kyrgyzstan in June 2010, without which it is imposable to achieve stabilization of this country.

During the talks, the sides discussed perspectives of development of situation in Afghanistan and settlement conflict in the country with attracting all interested sides to dialogue. The EU head expressed gratitude to the Uzbek leader for implementation of concrete projects directed to rehabilitation of economy and infrastructure in Afghanistan.

The sides highly rated signed agreement on establishing delegation of the European Union in Uzbekistan. The sides expressed assurance that the document will create firm ground for implementation of achieved agreements and strengthening mutual trust.

The meeting between the Uzbek President Islam Karimov and NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen showed common interest in further development of constructive partnership between Uzbekistan and the alliance. At the same time, the sides noted that priority directions of partnership are combating threat nuclear and other mass destruction weapons, cooperation in fighting terrorism and illegal drug trafficking.

It was said that it is important to search alternative ways of achieving peace and stability in Afghanistan. According to the opinion of Uzbekistan, creation of contact group 6+3, including neighbors of Afghanistan, USA, NATO and Russia, could play important role in this direction.

The Uzbek side provided full information on its position on some issues of bilateral cooperation.

NATO chief underlined that Uzbekistan makes huge contribution to social-economic development of Afghanistan and called for continuation of cooperation on stabilization of situation in this country.