The session considered current affairs and perspectives of bilateral cooperation between Uzbekistan and the EU, implementation of the EU strategy for Central Asia, and exchanged opinion on issues of political-legal and social-economic development of the EU and Uzbekistan, actual regional and international issues.

The Uzbek ministry said the ninth session of the council demonstrated readiness of the sides to strengthen and expansion of bilateral relations once again. Exchange of opinions on wide-range of issues included into agenda on mutual relations, actual regional and international issues, , showed importance of joint efforts to further development of relations and cooperation in Central Asia - EU format, taking into account general interests and tasks.

The head of delegation of Uzbekistan confirmed readiness [of the country] to develop long-term mutual beneficial and constructive cooperation with the EU within the wide spectrum of issues of mutual interest, both in bilateral and interregional level, based on principles of quality, mutual respect, non-intervention to internal affairs, taking into account pragmatism of current interests of the sides.

The Uzbek ministry noted that the important aspect of cooperation at the negotiations was practical realization of the EU Strategy for Central Asia. Uzbekistan is ready to cooperate with the EU on all aspects of interregional cooperation in various spheres.

Further cooperation between regions should take into account previous experience of interaction. Construction of relations on equality and mutual respect pragmatic approach, taking into account current interests of the sides, as well as without idealization, allocation of countries to leaders, leading and secondary country, use of “double standards”.

The ministry said it is necessary balanced and objective approach in assessment events, better understanding of real situation in Central Asia and achievements of Uzbekistan, non-admission of shift of priorities to humanitarian issues.

Full and effective realization of the Strategy is impossible without Uzbekistan, which possesses several important characters - key geopolitical position, economic, transport-communication, resource and human potential.

The session confirmed great unused potential in trade-economic, transport-communication, energy and cultural-humanitarian spheres, as well as environment protection. The sides exchanged opinion on strengthening of joint activity on overcoming crisis and reducing its negative consequences.

The Uzbek side confirmed its readiness to develop cooperation in strengthening of democracy, basic human rights and freedoms. Assistance of the EU to democratic reforms and strengthening of civic society should be transparent and based on historic-cultural traditions and mentality of people of the region. Attempts to obtrusion of western models and “unified standards” of democracy are counterproductive.

The release said nobody provided right to the EU to control situation in Uzbekistan and other sovereign states of the world.

During the negotiations, the sides said there is need to consolidate and close coordination of the joint efforts in fighting against terrorism, religious extremism, drug trafficking and other types of the organized crime.

The sides also expressed their concern over situation in Afghanistan and said it is necessary to transfer from military angle to political.