10/06/11 - President meets OSCE chairman

Дата публикации: Jan 15, 2012 12:49:25 PM

President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Islam Karimov met with acting chairman of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), Lithuania’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Audronius Azubalis.

Greeting the guest, the head of state noted that he is welcomed in Uzbekistan as an acting chairman of OSCE as much as the head of foreign ministry of Lithuania, a country tied to Uzbekistan with old and friendly bonds.

At the meeting, the sides went to great lengths exchanging views on issues pertinent to OSCE agenda, Lithuanian chairmanship in this institution, pressing topics of regional and international affairs.

It was stressed that the Concept of Intensifying Democratic Reforms and Forming Civil Society in the Country proposed by the Uzbek President at the joint session of two houses of Oliy Majlis on November 12, 2010, has been indicative of Uzbekistan’s aspiration to steadily move forward with democratic development.

Audronius Azubalis noted that the amendments to the Constitution of Uzbekistan and changes in the national legislation aimed at enhancing the role of political parties have been considered an important stride in this direction.

The parties also discussed regional security and stability issues. The guest voiced his high appreciation of Uzbekistan’s input into socio-economic revival of Afghanistan.

Other matters of shared interest, including those relating to rigorous reforms within the OSCE and fostering interaction among member nations within the Organization, have been deliberated on during the event at the Oqsaroy.

In the context of Uzbek-Lithuanian relations, the sides stand for keeping with the political dialogue at the highest level, boosting inter-parliamentary ties, regular political consultations between foreign affairs ministries and expanding the bilateral contacts. Both sides wield remarkable resources for trade and economic cooperation, including Lithuanian companies’ engagement in setting up hi-tech industrial production capacities in Uzbekistan, UzA informs.