The embassy said first Political Officer/Charge d'Affaires a.i. Ondrej Simek took up his duties on 23 May and the EU office in Tashkent started its work.

The Czech Embassy said: “We are happy that citizen of the Czech Republic has been elected as the first head of the EU Representative Office in Uzbekistan. His duties will include preparation of all necessary for work of the EU office, including selection of residence for the EU Office and receive accreditation.”

It is expected that solemn opening of new EU office in Tashkent will be organized this year.

As reported earlier, the decision on the opening of the EU office in Tashkent has been adopted during the visit of the Uzbek President Islam Karimov to Brussels in January 2011.

The EU Office in Tashkent should help the members of the union to effectively coordinate cooperation issues with Uzbekistan.