OSCE Chairman calls on Uzbekistan to make domestic reforms and strengthen civil society

TASHKENT, 1 April 2006 - On the final stop of his visit to Central Asia to strengthen its relations with the OSCE, the Chairman-in-Office, Belgian Foreign Minister Karel De Gucht, met top officials and civil society representatives in Uzbekistan.

Minister De Gucht gave assurances during his meetings with President Islam Karimov and Foreign Minister Elyor Ganiev that the OSCE was ready to continue the dialogue with Uzbekistan in order to expand the scope for co-operation.

"The countries of Central Asia have an important role in the Organization and it stands ready to co-operate and discuss concrete projects in all three OSCE dimensions, such as combating terrorism, promoting regional economic co-operation and strengthening civil society," he said.

The Chairman confirmed that the OSCE was continuing efforts to further balance its work among the three dimensions, enhancing the economic and environmental dimension while not diminishing the importance of the politico-military and human dimensions.

"The Belgian Chairmanship's priorities to address transport, organized crime and energy security would strengthen the economic and environmental dimension and are highly relevant to Uzbekistan," he pointed out.

The Chairman-in-Office said he hoped that the Government would consult with the Co-ordinator of OSCE Economic and Environmental Activities to develop initiatives in this sphere.

He also called for a strengthening of civil society as it had an important role in furthering democratic development. He was concerned about reports of increasing pressure on non-governmental organizations over the past few months.

The Belgian Minister raised the issue of several individuals who had been convicted of crimes or whose rights had reportedly been violated. He called on Uzbekistan's leadership to share information regarding what had happened in Andijan in May 2005.

Such an initiative would enhance the transparency of the investigation process and would "help the Government to address the root causes, while holding perpetrators of the violence accountable, in order to prevent similar occurrences in the future.

Concluding his visit, De Gucht reiterated that the Chairmanship would continue to draw on the experience of all participating States during the reform process to further strengthen the Organization.