Greeting the leader of EU’s external action service, Islam Karimov noted that the present meeting provides with a good opportunity for an exhaustive analysis of the current state of relations between Uzbekistan and the European Union and for mapping out priority directions of the development of cooperation.

The two sides reinforced shared willingness to continue to work together toward a more diversified mutual trade and more encouraging conditions, toward the European capital’s more extensive investment presence in Uzbekistan, and toward implementation of joint schemes cashing in the available resources and advanced technologies.

The parties to talks stressed mutual interest in upholding direct contacts among public and nongovernmental institutions in cultural and humanitarian, academic and educational as well as other spheres.

The meeting also served as a venue to discuss regional affairs and a range of individual issues pertinent to security and stability in Central Asia, including those related to developments in Afghanistan.

Catherine Ashton thanked President Islam Karimov for a warm reception and the environment for a thorough and constructive exchange of views on bilateral relations along with key issues on the international and regional agenda. The EU’s top diplomat confirmed the willingness of the Union to build longer-run and mutually advantageous relations with Uzbekistan.

Also, other topics of interest for Uzbekistan and European Union have been addressed during the meeting at the Oqsaroy.

The mutual trade turnover grew by nineteen percent last year to reach US$2.36. The favorable trend has kept the pace this year, as well.