"Strengthening OSCE’s cooperation with the Central Asian countries is one of the key priorities of the Finnish Chairmanship. Besides, the visit was a good opportunity to develop the potential of our bilateral relations," Stubb wrote.

"OSCE strives to assist Uzbekistan in its efforts to continue reforms and expresses readiness to support the implementations of the OSCE obligations in order to further strengthen the security and stability in the region. OSCE welcomes further strengthening of the cooperation between Uzbekistan and the OSCE," he said.

"Civil society, human rights, supremacy of the law and the freedom of the press are the main values of the OSCE. Uzbekistan’s progress in promoting and protecting human rights and the supremacy of the law has a positive feedback, including the abolishment of the death penalty and the introduction of the Habeas Corpus institute. In this respect, independent representatives of the civil society play an important role. Uzbekistan and the OSCE have a long history of interaction in the issues of the role of women in the social and political life, as well as in civil society issues. Our organization hopes this cooperation will continue and expand."

The OSCE Chairman-in-Office also noted that his organization welcomed the provision of the access to prisons to the International Committee of the Red Cross and the ratification by Uzbekistan of the Convention on the worst forms of child labor.

"OSCE expresses readiness to support Uzbekistan in reaching our common goals. I hope my visit will serve to strengthening relations and dialogue between Uzbekistan and the OSCE, as well as relations between Uzbekistan and Finland," Alexander Stubb concluded.