From the European side the Protocol on expansion was signed by Slovenia’s permanent representative to EU, Ambassador I.Senchar (on behalf of the EU member-states), the Director-General of the EU Commission on Foreign Relations E.Landaburu (on behalf of the European communities), and from the Uzbek side – Ambassador of the Republic of Uzbekistan to European Communities I.Mustafaev.

The Protocol expands the validity of provisions of the PCA signed in 1996 between the Republic of Uzbekistan and EU with regard to the new EU member-states – Bulgaria and Romania. The document is called upon to promote cooperation of Uzbekistan with those countries in the EU framework.

Speaking before the signing ceremony the Slovenian Ambassador I.Senchar has underscored that the EU attached an importance to cooperation with Uzbekistan and Central Asian states, as a whole. He has also said that during the Slovenian chairmanship in the EU Council the bilateral relations between the EU and Uzbekistan saw significant development.

The Director-General of the EU Commission on Foreign Relations E.Landaburu has positively assessed the decision taken by Uzbekistan to abolish the death penalty and introduce the Habeas corpus institute in the country starting from January 1, 2008. He said the EU stood ready to further extend cooperation with the Republic of Uzbekistan in political, economic, scientific, technical and cultural spheres.