11
challenges and problems Uzbekistan managed
to stay a stable and predictable country with
stabilizing influence on the whole region.
Having said that I do not want to imply
that there were no difficult moments in
the recent history of the country, including
those where EU and Uzbekistan had certain
differences. But the strength of the country
and the endurance of the partnership are
always tested during difficult times and EU
and Uzbekistan managed to overcome all
challenges in the spirit of partnership, through
constructive dialogue.
Now Uzbekistan at 26 is a mature and
positively self-confident country pursuing its
multi-vector foreign policy and good relations
with neighbours.
We are pleased to note
that Uzbekistan considers the EU as
one of the key partners. This
feeling is mutual. So we have all
important ingredients in place for
even a more productive partnership,
including Uzbekistan’s reinvigorated
drive for reforms, in line with
the country’ s National Development
Strategy 2017-21.
We welcome and support steps to
start vast economic reforms and improve the
business climate. Uzbekistan’s central bank has
made decisive moves to make national currency
fully convertible - a step much applauded
by the foreign investors. Reforms have been
started in the judicial system, labour conditions,
administrative accountability and efficiency.
We also see government making gradual
steps to improve the situation in the area of
human rights and fundamental freedoms.
Engagement with international human rights
bodies has been stepped up significantly.
We see that the declared «Year of
dialogue with the people and human interests»
has been implemented vigorously to address
long standing challenges in this area.
We encourage Uzbek government to
continue efforts in building a strong and vibrant
civil society for strong Uzbekistan.
These positive developments have
contributed also to a new dynamism and content
in our relationship. This has been fully reflected
in a very productive discussion between
President Mirziyoev and High Representative
Mogherini last November during their meeting
in Samarkand.
We welcome an ambitious road map for
strengthening Uzbek - EU relationship adopted
by the Uzbek Government, including the
process leading to starting negotiations on an