The Italian embassy in Uzbekistan has held a festive event devoted to the country’s national holiday - the Republic Day - in Tashkent’s Intercontinental Hotel.

A speech by Italian Ambassador to Uzbekistan Angelo Persiani raised great interest among participants in the event, in which he focused on some aspects of the development of cooperation between Italy, the EU and Uzbekistan, Khalq Sozi newspaper reported.

The Italian diplomat specifically noted that Italy supported Uzbekistan’s efforts on the path of economic development, progress of democratic processes, ensuring security and joint fight against drug trafficking. "We welcome de facto of a moratorium on the death penalty and its complete abolition early next year. We welcome the introduction of the Habeas Corpus institute (transferring the right to issue an arrest warrant from the prosecutor’s office to judges)".

At the same time, the Italian ambassador commanded the current state of bilateral relations with Uzbekistan and expressed the hope that they would further develop.

"The economies of Uzbekistan and Italy do not compete but complement each other. We always wanted to expand contacts in various sectors, beginning from the cultural [sector] up to tourism. We have repeatedly spoken about an increase in potential of our relations - it is high time to give way to this potential".

In addition to natural interest in bilateral cooperation, Italy really supports the EU at the current stage of strengthening relations and drafting by June a new European concept for cooperation with the five Central Asian states. Among other things, the EU proposes to this region, and especially its central state, Uzbekistan, an unprecedented preference for developing cooperation in major spheres of building a common future. Italy fully supports this. The recent visit by the foreign under-secretary, Senator Gianni Vernetti, is evidence of this.

He went on to say: "We know how it is hard to cooperate because it is difficult to understand differences between cultures and it is easy to misinterpret foreign values. And how it is easy for each of us to be absolutely sure that our own views are true. Yes, it is easy to superficially judge the history, culture and peoples’ traditions. Our duty, work and mission are the opposite of this - to develop in ourselves a full understanding taking into account the experience of other cultures in order to properly assess the diversity and differences".