Foreign relations of Uzbekistan 31862 214916555 2008-05-25T21:56:10Z 92.2.209.213 /* See also */ {{update}}{{expert}}{{Politics of Uzbekistan}} [[Uzbekistan]] joined the [[Commonwealth of Independent States]] in December [[1991]]. However, it is opposed to reintegration and withdrew from the CIS collective security arrangement in [[1999]]. Since that time, Uzbekistan has participated in the CIS peacekeeping force in [[Tajikistan]] and in [[United Nations]]-organized groups to help resolve the Tajik and [[Afghanistan|Afghan]] conflicts, both of which it sees as posing threats to its own stability. Uzbekistan is an active supporter of [[United States|U.S.]] efforts against worldwide [[terrorism]] and joined the coalitions which have dealt with both Afghanistan and [[Iraq]] (although, in [[2005]], relations with the U.S. were strained after the [[May 2005 unrest in Uzbekistan|May 2005 unrest]] and Uzbekistan demanded that the U.S. leave [[Karshi-Khanabad]]). It is a member of the United Nations, the [[Euro-Atlantic Partnership Council]], [[Partnership for Peace]], and the [[Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe]] (OSCE). It belongs to the [[Organisation of the Islamic Conference]] (OIC) and the [[Economic Cooperation Organization]], which comprises five [[Central Asia]]n countries: [[Azerbaijan]], [[Turkey]], [[Iran]], Afghanistan, and [[Pakistan]]. It is a founding member of and remains involved in the Central Asian Union, formed with [[Kazakhstan]] and [[Kyrgyzstan]], joined in March [[1998]] by [[Tajikstan]]. In [[1999]], Uzbekistan joined the GUAM alliance (Georgia, Ukraine, Azerbaijan and Moldova), which was formed in 1997 (making it [[GUUAM]]). Uzbekistan is also a member of the [[Shanghai Cooperation Organization]] (SCO) and hosts the SCO’s Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure (RATS) in Tashkent. Uzbekistan also joined the new [[Central Asian Cooperation Organization]] (CACO) in 2002. The CACO consists of Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Kazakhstan, and Kyrgyzstan. It is a founding member of and remains involved in the [[Central Asian Union]], formed with Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan, joined in March 1998 by Tajikstan. ==Visit to Uzbekistan== [[Antti Turunen]], the head of the [[Finnish Foreign Ministry]]'s [[Eastern Europe]]an and [[Central Asia]]n department, led a [[European Union]] fact-finding mission to [[Tashkent]], [[Uzbekistan]] on [[August 29]], [[2006]]. The Uzbek deputy foreign minister indicated that the [[Uzbek government]] was interested in talks with the EU during a visit to [[Helsinki]], [[Finland]] in [[June 2006]], just before [[Finland]] assumed the EU presidency. ''[[Radio Free Europe]]'' journalists spoke to Turunen on [[September 1]]. Turunen said the visit was inconclusive, but promising enough for the EU to "analyze" to see if the sanctions imposed on Uzbekistan could be lifted. Turunen's visit to Uzbekistan was the first EU visit since October, when sanctions were imposed after the [[Uzbek government]] refused to allow an international investigation into the [[Andijan massacre]].<ref name=UZBEK>[http://www.rferl.org/featuresarticle/2006/9/993fd677-ec7c-4da1-aa57-1ba2c9456dad.html Uzbekistan: EU Officials Hold Talks In Tashkent] Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty</ref> The [[diplomatic sanctions]] consisted of a ban on political contacts, aid cuts, and visa bans on officials held responsible for the events in Andijan and their cover-up. Turunen said, "There are many, many open cases on [[human rights]], and we have to now carefully look into what has really been done and what recommendations of [the] [[international community]] have been implemented. They indicated [then] that there would be possibilities to again resume ministerial level dialogue, that they might be willing to again discuss all aspects of [[EU-Uzbek relations]], including the events in [[Andijan]]. That will be part of the assessment of the sanctions regime and on the basis of that assessment a decision on the fate of the sanctions will be made by mid-November."<ref name=UZBEK/> Turunen said that the visit went "smoothly" and that [[Uzbek Foreign Minister]] [[Vladimir Norov]] offered a "warm reception." The EU delegation met with officials from the Justice Ministry, the Attorney General's office, and Uzbek parliament members in a "rather good" atmosphere. He stressed that "the real issue" for the EU is the Uzbek government's response to the Andijan massacre and [[human rights]] abuses. "Well, it seems that at the moment the issue with the international inquiry is not on the agenda as such. They are to a certain extent open to discuss on expert level the events that took place in Andijan and we have to now see what this amounts to, what concrete steps towards that direction could be taken. The other issue is they are now willing to engage on human rights, to establish some kind of human rights dialogue or regular meetings on human rights issues which, in itself, is a positive signal."<ref name=UZBEK/> Although he was unsure what prompted the invitation to EU officials, he said Uzbekistan is trying to overcome its [[isolation]]. He said [[Russia-Uzbek relations]] and possible EU development of Uzbek energy reserves were not "directly" discussed but that "one might assume in the longer run they look forward to EU investment in this area." If the sanctions are lifted, a "Cooperation Council" meeting with Foreign Minister Norov will take place in [[Brussels]] later this autumn.<ref name=UZBEK/> ==See also== ** [[List of diplomatic missions in Uzbekistan]] ** [[Uzbek diplomatic missions]] * [[Uzbek-Pak relations]] ==References== {{reflist}} ==External links== *[http://www.bernama.com/bernama/v3/news_lite.php?id=235776 Uzbekistan To Boost Cooperation With Malaysia] *[http://www.rferl.org/featuresarticle/2006/12/8a73b1a4-74c7-4a5e-84f0-834bc4884df4.html EU Delegation Visits Uzbekistan] *[http://en.rian.ru/world/20061221/57492380.html Turkmenistan closes border with Uzbekistan] {{Asia in topic|Foreign relations of}} [[Category:Foreign relations of Uzbekistan]] [[Category:Foreign relations by country|Uzbekistan, Foreign affairs of]]