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LATEST NEWS : May 2008

The General Prosecutor’s Office of Uzbekistan jointly with UNICEF office held a conference on protection of minors and youth, UzA reported.

Deputy Prosecutor General A.Sharafutdinov, Deputy Minister of Public Education U.Musayev and others said in their welcoming speeches that protection of interests of children and young people has been raised to the level of state policy in Uzbekistan.

Thanks to combined efforts of the public, NGOs and law enforcement agencies, the crime levels have been falling. The General Prosecutor’s Office held more than 1,300 events to protect the rights and interests of the young people, it was said.

As a result, in the four months of 2008, the level of juvenile delinquency in the country fell by 3.2% and the cases of suicide by 25%.

The country is currently implementing the Program of activities devoted to the 60th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
 

International conference “Security and stability in Central Asia in the context of political and economic modernization” was held in Tashkent on May 29-30, 2008, UzA reported.

The conference was organized by the Institute for Strategic and Regional Studies under the President of Uzbekistan jointly with the European Institute of International Relations (Belgium), Institute of Prospects and Security in Europe (France), Centre for Policy Studies (Uzbekistan) and the regional office of the Friedrich Ebert Foundation (Germany) in Central Asia.

The forum was attended by experts and analysts on security issues from Belgium, Bulgaria, Germany, India, Italy, China, Pakistan, South Korea, Russia, Ukraine, USA, Tajikistan, France, as well as representatives of international organizations.

The main topics of discussion at the conference were questions of sociopolitical and economic modernization in Uzbekistan and the countries of the region, as well as initiatives to resolve the situation in Afghanistan put forward by the President of Uzbekistan during the NATO/EAPC summit in Bucharest.

It was noted that issues of security in Central Asia, which has significant energy resources, as well as in Uzbekistan, which has a special geostrategic position, were of a particular importance to the EU and the world at large. The need to deepen economic, political and humanitarian ties between Central Asia and Europe is also growing.

Virtually all participants of the conference noted that security and stability was an essential condition of sociopolitical and socioeconomic reforms in the region. At the same time, these reforms will contribute to preserving peace and development of economies and political systems of the states, they said.

The participants emphasized that the countries of Central Asia were seeing a dynamic process of sociopolitical and socioeconomic modernization, which was taking place at different speeds and with varying success. At the same time, it is clear that in this complex process of forming national statehood there are certain laws and principles, which, as the experience of Uzbekistan shows, should be sequential, systematic, take into account the level of political culture, legal consciousness, mentality, customs and traditions.

Attempts to impose and artificially accelerate democratic processes, introduce universal models of democracy can lead and, as in some countries of the region, are leading to destabilization of the sociopolitical situation and undermining the foundations of security.

According to president of the European Institute of International Relations Irnerio Seminatore, the “democratic paradox” of such policies is that thanks to principles of political pluralism and political alternative sometimes extremist forces come to power, which are often supporters of undemocratic development of the state. According to the Belgian scientist, in the modern world democracy has no chances to take root in societies in which it “is borrowed from a totally different, alien country in terms of cultural values and historical traditions”.

In the sphere of economic modernization sequence in market reforms also proved crucial. The implementation of principles like avoiding shock therapy and strong socially-oriented economy help prevent mass impoverishment of the population and dangerous growth of social tension.

In this context, Professor Ajay Kumar Patnaik of the School of International Studies of the Jawaharlal Nehru University (India) highlighted the experience of Uzbekistan, which in the course of sociopolitical and economic modernization introduced its own social welfare system that ensures stability in the society.

The conference attendees paid a particular attention to the situation in Afghanistan. It was noted that achieving peace and stability in that country was an important factor not only of the regional but also of the global security and sustainable socioeconomic development of all countries in Central Asia.

They agreed that attempts to solve the Afghan issue through military force would neither have prospects, nor yield the expected result. Noting the need to shift the Afghan problem from the military into the political perspective, the participants supported the initiative of the President of Islam Karimov to stabilize the situation in Afghanistan, which he made at the NATO/EAPC summit in Bucharest on 3 April 2008.

The proposals of Islam Karimov on the need to address the priority social and economic problems in Afghanistan, provide the people with work, form the effective power vertical and others are currently the best and most promising, it was noted.

“The initiatives of President Islam Karimov are perceived very positively, since they are based on the need for peaceful resolution of the problem of Afghanistan,” president of the European Institute of International Relations Irnerio Seminatore said.

Former Ambassador of Italy in Uzbekistan Iolanda Brunetti highly evaluated the initiatives of Uzbekistan on Afghanistan, calling them “break-through”. According to her, “President Islam Karimov has once again demonstrated the far-sighted policy”. “The constructive initiatives of the Uzbek President sounded at the right time and offer the best formula for a wide range of problems to stabilize the situation in Afghanistan.” She also stressed that proposal on the 6 +3 Contact Group in coordinating its activities with UN Secretary General’s Envoy on Afghanistan was a “bright idea”.

This structure, acting under the UN and renewed in light of contemporary realities, might include representatives of states neighboring Afghanistan, Russia and the United States, as well as the authorized NATO representatives. It could become a basis to develop effective mechanisms to implement new approaches to achieve peace and harmony on the Afghan soil, and contribute to the efficiency of the negotiating process between the warring parties in that country.

The conference participants noted that the only correct way was to provide full support to the Afghan people in peaceful solution of the existing conflicts and development of the economy and rebuilding the war-ravaged infrastructure. During the discussion, the emphasis was also placed on the need to ensure a phased implementation of reforms in the state and social construction and formation of civil society.

The attendees comprehensively reviewed and positively evaluated the reforms conducted in Uzbekistan in democratic renewal and modernization of the country.

It was noted that Uzbekistan had successfully created a bicameral parliament and was improving the national legislation in accordance with international norms and democratic requirements. Formation of the civil society and its institutions is actively continuing and increasingly helping to solve important problems facing the country. The abolition of the death penalty in the country and the transfer of the detention authorization to courts was an important result of the legal and judicial reforms.

The achievements of Uzbekistan in the development of market economy were also highlighted. The grain independence has ensured food security and protection of the domestic market from fluctuations on the world food market. New industries, including automobile, gas, chemical and others have been developing. Maximally favorable conditions for expansion of small business and private entrepreneurship, as well as attraction of foreign investment in the country have been created.

As pointed out by Ajay Kumar Patnaik, the stability in Uzbekistan has been achieved due to significant efforts in the area of policy and legislation. The space for ideological pluralism, free market and private property has been created in the country. In addition, Uzbekistan is a state where many nationalities live and has made great success in inter-ethnic cooperation, he said.

“Peace and stability are a very high value,” Myusha Sever, director of the Open Dialogue project of the New Democracies Institute (USA), said. “However, they do not appear by themselves, you need to do much work. We must acknowledge that the people of Uzbekistan have managed to save the peace and stability in the country, and are committed to universal and national values.” “I am confident that in the near future, Uzbekistan will take its place as a respected partner among other global actors on the world stage,” she noted.
 

Uzbek Agency for Communication and Informatization (UzACI) placed on its website official information about henceforward equation of e (electronic)-transactions to payment documents in Uzbekistan on May 29, 2008, UzA reported.

According to this information, the Cabinet of Ministers of Uzbekistan passes Decree "On making amendments and alternations into decrees of the government of the Republic of Uzbekistan" #102 dated 21 May 2008 with the aim of stimulation of rapid development of e-commerce, further improvement of payment system in realization of e-commerce in retail trade.

This decree makes amendments into "Regulation of registration order and realization of wholesale and retail trade activity" approved by Decree of the Cabinet of Ministers on 26 November 2002 and Decree of the Cabinet of Ministrers dated 24 September 2004 "On measures to further develop payment system based on plastic cards".

By introduction of this decree billing of e-commerce system transactions (e-bills) is equal to the bills of bank terminals, while payment order and taxation of legal entities on corporate plastic cards is applied to payment process of legal entities for goods and services by e-commerce systems.

Approval of this governmental document enables to strictly define a number of individuals i.e. participants of e-commerce retail payment system; owing to this will be provided introduction of appropriate stock-taking and control over fulfilled transactions, increase the number of e-commerce system users and wide expansion of digital signatures.
 

Uzbekistan-UAE intergovernmental commission for economic cooperation held its first session in Tashkent on May 28, 2008, UzA reported. Representatives of government bodies and companies working in the trade, fuel, energy, finance, agriculture, customs, car building, pharmaceutics, food, light industry, transport communications, tourism, culture, environment and other spheres participated in the event.

First vice prime minister of Uzbekistan, commission co-chairman Rustam Azimov said Uzbekistan and the United Arab Emirates were expanding relations in all spheres of cooperation. The official visit of the President Islam Karimov to the UAE in March 2008 gave a new impulse to the relations. It was then that the agreement on creating the Uzbek-UAE economic cooperation commission was reached.

Minister of foreign trade of UAE, commission co-chairman Lubna bint Haled al-Kasemi also noted that the cooperation between the two states was developing steadily in political, economic, scientific and social spheres.

“Favorable investment climate in Uzbekistan is attracting the businessmen from the UAE,” she said. “We are interested in expanding mutually beneficial contacts in oil and gas, energy, agriculture, textile and food industry, banking, finance and tourism.”

Bilateral commodity turnover between Uzbekistan and UAE made up USD 93.1 million in 2007. About 70 joint ventures have been set up in Uzbekistan with UAE capital, and more than 20 companies from this state run their representative offices in Uzbekistan.
 

The 49th International spring fair took place in London. As a part of the event the Embassy of Uzbekistan to the United Kingdom organized the national art exposition of Uzbekistan, Jahon agency reported.

Numerous visitors and participants of the fair have learned about the historical and cultural heritage of the Uzbek nation, its adherence to universal social and family values.

The fair is the largest annual charity event in the British capital. The International Social Service of United Kingdom (ISS UK) has organized the event at the London’s Kensington-Chelsea district administration.

Along with the Embassy of Uzbekistan to London the diplomatic missions of over one hundred countries of the world as well as various British and international organizations took part at the fair.

Many visitors of the Uzbek section of exhibition observed the works of national and applied arts, the ceramic tools, gold-embroidery gowns, bright silk cloths, scarves, and items which showcased the rich culture and developed craftsmanship of Uzbekistan.
The chairwoman of the fair Elizabeth Young expressed her admiration by the works of the Uzbek masters presented at the exhibition and told about her intention to visit Uzbekistan to directly learn about such wonderful ancient cities of Uzbekistan as Samarkand, Bukhara, Khiva and Tashkent.

According to the unanimous opinion of both organizers and visitors, the Uzbek section was one of the most original, colorful and attractive. They said that such cultural campaigns promote strengthening of the spirit of understanding and cooperation between the nations.
 

For over the years of reforms the primary link of healthcare went through, it could be said, the global changes, the Narodnoye slovo newspaper wrote.

Applying the latest methods and approaches for over the last ten years Uzbekistan has established a principally new system of rendering the primary medical aid both in towns and villages.

As a result of implementation of the first stage of the State program of reforming the healthcare initiated by President, in particular, of the primary link of healthcare, the new treatment facilities such as the rural medical stations and family polyclinics have emerged in the country. They have replaced the old-fashioned village first-aid and obstetric posts, rural outpatient’s clinics as well as municipal children’s and adult’s clinics, the newspaper wrote.

At the moment, there are more than 3.100 rural medical stations nationwide. Thanks to implementation of Health-1 project, those stations have been supplied with the cutting-edge medical technology. The rural medical stations as much as the family polyclinics are employing the skilled the so-called ‘new-generation’ specialists, and particularly, the general practicing doctors. The times have proved the efficiency of the new system.

Speaking about the successes of domestic healthcare secured during the years of reforms President Islam Karimov has said that for over the last ten years the quality of medical servicing had considerably grown with medical facilities to have expanded in numbers. As a consequence, the indicator of general mortality decreased by 20 percent in the nation. The life expectancy of the Uzbek citizens rose from 62 years of age up to 72.5 years of age.

The Uzbek medicare personnel have achieved tangible results in protecting motherhood and childhood. This direction, according to the newspaper, has been pinpointed by state as the most important in domestic medical sphere. It is difficult to overestimate the role and significance of a diversified network of screening centers which were established for over the years of reforms. Such centers undertake permanent control over the child health yet from the time till his birth. And here are the results: for over the last year alone the level of child mortality decreased by 11 percent.

“Certainly, during the years of reforms the capabilities of a primary link of healthcare have incredibly expanded,” the head doctor of the family polyclinic No.14 of Shaikhontokhur District in Tashkent Dilfuza Ibragimova has been quoted as to have said.

According to her, the family polyclinic No.14, as much as many other medical facilities throughout Tashkent and nationwide, is being supplied with the latest equipment. The facility already applies the X-ray, ultrasonic scanning and electrocardiogram machines. The skilled doctors can diagnose diseases at the site and render the first and quick medical aid to patients.

“As among the urgent directions of further developing the Uzbek medicine the President has touched on the need to constantly enhance the qualification level as much as professionalism of medical workers, as a whole, and general practicing doctors, in particular,” the head doctor Ibragimova has further said.

All of the aforesaid measures as much as other efforts which are envisaged by the Program for implementing the second stage of cardinal reforming the healthcare will serve for improvement of medical servicing. This, in its turn, will further raise the quality and increase the life expectancy of the Uzbek people – the first and foremost goal of medical reforms now underway in Uzbekistan, according to the newspaper.
 

The youth festival of students that attend the higher educational institutions of Uzbekistan “Talabalar bahori -2008” (‘The student spring - 2008’) took off in Samarkand, UzA reported.

The attention to and care about the youth, creation of conditions for them to reveal their talents and creative potential, as well as upbringing in the spirit of devotion to Homeland make up the backbone of reforms now underway in Uzbekistan in social, political, cultural and educational spheres. The scope of such undertakings in the Year of Youth in the country in 2008 is expanding in this direction, the report has said.

Yet another goal of the youth festival in Samarkand is to increase the social activeness of young men and women, establish conditions so that they uncover their talents and abilities, as much as put in place the mutual exchange with their contemporaries nationwide, in line with the report.

The Central Council of Public Youth Movement Kamolot, ministries of higher and secondary special education, of culture and sports, the Kelajak Ovozi Center for Youth Intiatives, the Republican Council of Labor Unions Federation and Samarkand Regional Municipality are reported to have organized the festival with participation of over 200 students in it.

“We have undertaken massive preparation to the festival which is organized in line with the Year of Youth State program,” Deputy Chairman of the Central Council of Public Youth Movement Kamolot Kakhramon Kuranboev has been quoted to have said.

According to him, the events that make up the festival agenda in Samarkand are aimed to unveiling the talented youth in the sphere of arts, culture, science and sports. The young researchers are expected to speak at the scientific-practical conferences “The role of youth in establishing the civil society” and “Participation of youth in globalization”.

Also, the festival will host the marathon under the slogan “Sports is an envoy of peace and friendship” as well as contest “The joyous and witted”.

“I have participated at many youth contests and sports tournaments, but it came out that the student festival is much of another spirit and look,” Kobil Goipov of the Andijan Engineering and Economics Institute has said. “We are enjoying the opportunity to exchange views with other students and learn about their new ideas and initiatives”.

The festive opening ceremony of the Youth Festival “Talabalar bahori -2008” took place at the Mujiza amphitheater in the city of Samarkand. The dance shows by young performers, the appearances of young athletes, as well as songs and melodies that glorify youth and love for Homeland have added much joy and entertaining mood to the event, according to the report.
 

In Paris the International consulting organization Eduniversal has announced the rating results and the level of influence of educational establishments (business-schools) in educational system of the region (country), Jahon agency reported.

According to the results of the rating, the two olive branches were conferred on the Tashkent Finance Institute. The International Business School Kelajak ilmi and Samarkand State University have also secured one olive branch each.

The goal of Eduniversal is to establish the world database in the area of higher economic and business education set to raise the efficiency of choosing the needed higher educational institution in the country, region, continent, and the world as well as assist to human resources departments of companies and institutions in this area.

The Academic Council of the UN system actively supports the Eduniversal projects. It covers all continents and 153 countries with more than 97% of world population. Eduniversal also renders services to various companies in their search for and selection of specialists for recruitment and exchange of science information.

The results of the Eduniversal rating testify to the recognition by international experts of fundamental reforms underway in Uzbekistan for over the years of independence in sphere of education, as well as the successes by higher educational institutions of the country in training the highly qualified cadres in the area of higher economic and business education.
 

Uzbekistan sent humanitarian aid to China, which was hit by a disastrous earthquake on May 12, 2008, UzA reported.

On 22 May, the first half of the 50-ton aid consisting of tents, mattresses, pillows and foodstuffs was delivered from Tashkent to Urumqi airport.

At the humanitarian aid handing over ceremony, it was noted that the peoples of the two countries were bound with friendly and partnership ties.

“We highly value material and moral support of Uzbekistan at the time when our people are experiencing hardships,” deputy director of foreign affairs department of China’s Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region Ali Abdulkhamid said.
 

UNDP Deputy Resident Representative in Uzbekistan Kyoko Postill participated in the opening ceremony of the National Software Exhibition "BestSoft Uzbekistan - 2008", UzReportcom reported.

The "BestSoft Uzbekistan - 2008" was organized by IT Association of Uzbekistan and from the Government side was endorsed by Communication and Information Agency of Uzbekistan. Official partner of events was "ICT Policy" (ICTP) Project of United Nations Development Programme in Uzbekistan.

The exhibition was the significant event familiarizing the wide audience as well as professionals in the field of information technology with the practice of creating and implementing projects in the field of software development in the country. All the achievements and prospects of the software industry, designed for businesses, public institutions and population were demonstrated at the exhibition.

According to experts' estimates, over 200 entities are working in software development and production business. The market's value increased 1.6 times in last two years and now it comprises US$16 million.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, Kyoko Postill said: "UNDP supports the promotion of the Information and Communications Technologies (ICTs), because we strongly believe that it is a powerful tool to achieve the equitable and sustainable development of countries, which is our mandate. It is a good tool of knowledge sharing, which enhances local and global development opportunities, promote political accountability, and improve the delivery of basic services. It significantly enhances the development potential that can be used to build modern, competitive and versatile societies."

"Having said that, it is also obvious that, without careful approaches, certain groups may be left behind in this transition to knowledge societies, making it difficult to achieve universal and equitable development. Therefore, it is essential that we have solid ICT policies and fresh innovations to address the issue of digital divide," she added.

It is also significant fact that the Government contributes to promotion of ICT conducting the exhibition in the framework of World Information Society Day, proclaimed by a United Nations General Assembly resolution on 17 May. It displays aspiration to build people-centred, inclusive and development-oriented information society, where everyone can create, access, utilize and share information and knowledge.
 

This week Uzbekistan’s capital city of Tashkent held the Twelfth International Exhibition “Oil and Gas of Uzbekistan – OGU 2008”, according to the Uzbek newspapers.

Uzbekneftegaz National Holding Company, Ministry of Foreign Economic Relations, Investments and Trade, Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Uzbekistan, Tashkent city municipality jointly with the exhibition companies ITE Uzbekistan and the U.K.-based I.T.E. Exhibition & Conference Ltd have organized the event.

As a matter of fact, the number of participants of the exhibition is increasing year by year. This year over 180 leading firms and companies from over 30 countries of the world such as Uzbekistan, Russia, China, the Ukraine, the United Arab Emirates, Germany, France, the U.S., and others are reported to have taken part at the exhibition in Tashkent.

“Our company manufactures the technologies used in exploration works”, - the Executive director of the Chinese Baoding Earth Science & Technology Company Wang Huisheng has said. “Favorable investment climate in Uzbekistan in terms of liberalizing the economy, further developing all of its spheres, in particular, the oil and gas sector, is much appraised in the world”.

OGU 2008 is an important event in the oil and gas sector. It has allowed to directly learn about the latest achievements of national and foreign companies in extracting oil and gas, transporting, processing hydrocarbons, as well as implementing prospective projects.

Within the framework of the exhibition the Twelfth International Conference on developing oil, gas and chemical production in Uzbekistan and Central Asia was held. About 500 scholars and specialists took part in it, according to the reports.

The delegates to the conference spoke on further developing the oil and gas industry, protecting the environment, using alternative sources of energy, exploring, commissioning new oil and gas deposits, as well as the issues of extending mutually beneficial cooperation between the countries busied in exploring, transiting and consuming oil and gas.
 

National air company Uzbekistan Airways hosted a meeting with the delegation of Japanese Association of Tourist Agencies (JATA) led by the chairman of the Association Koji Shinmachi on 13 May this year, UzReportcom reported.

The air communication between Uzbekistan and Japan was launched in April 2001 with regular flights to Osaka and in November 2002 - to Tokyo.

Participants of the meeting said that for over the last years thousands of Japanese tourists used the services of Uzbekistan Airways and learned about the rich cultural historical heritage, original traditions, costumes and modern live of Uzbekistan. The JATA delegation members also did so during their visit to Uzbekistan, Jahon information agency reported.

As a matter of fact, the Japanese people are the most traveling nation in the globe. Thus, there is a big potential to hold their tours around Uzbekistan. The meeting in Tashkent saw the discussion of those very issues.

In June last year the Government of Japan worked out a five-year plan to develop tourism, which, in particular, envisages to take the number of Japanese tourists going abroad up to 20 million until 2010 and the foreigners incoming to Japan – up to 10 million.

There is a much hope that more Japanese tourists will come to Uzbekistan by using the services of Uzbekistan Airways and the Uzbek tourists will undertake more trips to the Country of Rising Sun.
 

On May 12, 2008 at the International Business Center (IBC) in Tashkent the Prime Minister of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoev met with the incoming Prime Minister of the Republic of Korea Han Seyung-soo, according to the Uzbek newspapers.

The sides have noted about the gradual development of relations between Uzbekistan and Korea as well as expansion of cooperation in all spheres.

“We emphasize the consistent development of cooperation in political, trade, economic, social and cultural spheres based on friendship, respect, trust and mutual interest of our countries,” – Prime Minister Han Seyung-soo has said, “Uzbekistan is a country with enormous economic potential. The Republic of Korea highly values cooperation with it”.

Uzbekistan and South Korea intensively develop ties almost in all areas, and particularly, in the sphere of oil and gas, energy, aviation building, machinery, trade, industry, education, transport and transport communications, healthcare, agriculture, and other. The volume of trade in 2007 exceeded 850 million US dollars.

The talks at the IBC have resulted in signing the Framework agreement between the Government of the Republic of Uzbekistan and Government of the Republic of Korea on allocating the soft long-term loans of the Economic cooperation development fund for 2008-2011 worth 120 million US dollars, as well as documents of cooperation between the agencies on standardization, development of science, geology, oil and gas companies, as well as between the Asakabank and Eximbank of the Republic of Korea.

Prime Ministers of Uzbekistan and South Korea have also met with business people of both countries. They have said the Uzbekistan-Korea Business Forum in Tashkent was a success.

The two premiers have joined the ceremony of opening the UzKorGasChemical Joint Venture on the Surgil Project. The said JV will hold geological exploration works in the Surgil Pit at the Usturt Plateau, the northwestern Uzbekistan, produce polyethylene and polypropylene.

UzKorGasChemical has been established in line with Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) inked between the KOGAS, the Korean Gas Corporation, and National Holding Company Uzbekneftegaz during the State visit of President Islam Karimov to Seoul in March 2006. The total cost of the said project comes to 1.84 billion US dollars.

Also, the sides are reported to have signed the MoU of cooperation and project development on manufacturing dimethyl ether and using the technologies of a liquefied gas between the National Holding Company of Uzbekneftegas and Korean Gas Corporation, as well as MoU of cooperation in oil and gas sector between the aforesaid companies.
 

The Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia Hassan Wirayuda, who paid a visit to Uzbekistan on May 13, 2008 met with the Speaker of the Legislative Chamber (Lower House) of Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan Dilorom Tashmukhamedova, according to the Uzbek newspapers.

The sides have emphasized the gradual development of cooperation between Uzbekistan and Indonesia in all spheres, and particularly, between the higher legislative bodies of the two countries.

They have exchanged views on the current state of affairs and prospects of cooperation between parliaments.

The same day the Foreign Minister Hassan Wirayuda met with his counterpart Foreign Minister Vladimir Norov of Uzbekistan. The two ministers are reported to have dwelled on further extending ties between Uzbekistan and Indonesia in all areas.

The talks at the Uzbek Foreign Ministry have resulted in signing the Memorandum of Understanding between the Government of the Republic of Uzbekistan and Government of the Republic of Indonesia on establishing the Joint Commission on bilateral cooperation, as well as Memorandum of Understanding between the University of World Economy and Diplomacy of the Uzbekistan Foreign Ministry and Training Center at the Department of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia on cooperation in the sphere of education and training diplomats.

Later the same day the Foreign Minister H.Wirayuda-led delegation visited the renovated Complex of Khazrati Imam (also known as Khastimom) in Tashkent. The high-profile visitors have highly assessed the improvement and betterment work carried out at the site under the leadership of President.

“This is indeed a wonderful complex,” – Foreign Minister Wirayuda has said. “There is a spiritual touch and soul of Islam in magnificent constructions of Islamic architecture such as this one”.
 

Malaysian state oil firm Petronas has signed a production-sharing agreement for a group of fields and a heads of agreement for a gas-to-liquid (GTL) project in northern Uzbekistan, months after inking pacts for fields in the south, UzReportcom reported.

It signed the production-sharing contract for the Urga, Kuanish and Akhchalak fields, located in the Uzbek northern region of Ustyurt, Reuters reported.

Petronas Carigali Overseas Sdn Bhd holds 100% interest for the development and production of the fields, it said in a statement.

The heads of agreement for the proposed GTL project was signed with Uzbekneftegaz National Holding Co, calling for Petronas to undertake detailed feasibility studies for the development.

Last December, Petronas signed agreements with Uzbekistan to drill for oil from two blocks in south Uzbekistan.

Petronas Carigali has a 20% stake in the Aral Sea production sharing contract, which is at an exploration stage. Other partners in the venture are state-run UzbeknefteGaz, CNPC International Ltd, parent of PetroChina, Korea National Oil Corporation and Lukoil Overseas Holding Ltd.

Petronas is also undertaking joint studies with Uzbekneftegaz for cooperation in the development of downstream petrochemical projects in Uzbekistan.
 

Tashkent became the venue of the fifth congress of oncologists and radiologists of the CIS countries. It united about 1,400 leading scientists and doctors not only from the Commonwealth, but also from countries like Germany, India, Canada, Poland, Serbia, Czech Republic and Sweden, UzA reported.

Currently, treatment of oncological diseases refers to a number of the most complex issues of clinical medicine worldwide. According to the World Health Organization, in many countries, cancer is the second most frequent cause of death.

In Uzbekistan, there is a relative stability in terms of cancer among the population, and the cases of the disease are significantly lower than in most countries of the CIS, Health Minister of Uzbekistan Feruz Nazirov said.

The oncology system of Uzbekistan includes the national center and a network of regional and city dispensaries and clinics, which have the latest equipment. Advanced methods of diagnosis and treatment are being developed and successfully implemented. Much attention is paid to preparation of the highly qualified personnel.

During three-day congress, its participants will discuss improving the quality of cancer treatment. Particular attention will be paid to early prevention and diagnosis of cancer.
 

National company Uzbekistan Airways will start the sale of electronic tickets from 1 June 2008, deputy commercial director Vladimir Filipas told UzA.

All major airlines carrying out international flights are moving to electronic tickets this summer, which is a new standard of service pursued by the International Air Carriers Association (IATA).

The electronic ticket is a new method of processing the sale of passenger carriage in which all information is stored in the database of the airline’s automated system. The passengers will now receive an itinerary receipt printed on an ordinary sheet of paper and containing all the information that is usually included in the air ticket.

The e-ticket can be purchased either personally or via the Internet or by telephone. In case of a loss, a passenger may recover it while registering at the airport through an automated system.
 

The 12th international exhibition Oil and Gas Uzbekistan – OGU 2008 opened in Tashkent on May 13, 2007, UzA reported.

The OGU 2008 exhibition aims to familiarize experts with the latest developments in oil and gas production, transportation, hydrocarbons processing and realization of promising projects.

The leading oil and gas companies are demonstrating latest technologies of transporting oil and gas, exploration and development of oil and gas fields, as well as developments related to geodynamics of Central Asian and hydrocarbons.

The exhibition includes sections on oil and gas extraction on land and at sea (technology and equipment), oil and gas wells, construction and maintenance, petroleum and petroleum products, processing, storage and transportation of oil and gas, construction, industrial oil and gas installations, geological, geophysical, seismic equipment and services, pipelines, engineering, testing devices, safety and protection, environmental security, software, computer systems, electrical and power equipment, communications and telecommunications.

More than 180 companies from over 30 countries, including Uzbekistan, Russia, China, Ukraine, UAE, Austria, Germany, Netherlands, Switzerland, Britain, Poland, Czech Republic, Romania, Iran, USA, Malaysia, Turkey, Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan, are participating in the OGU 2008 exhibition.
 

President of Uzbekistan Islam Karimov received Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia Hasan Wirayuda at the Oqsaroy residence on May 13, UzA reported.

“We consider your visit as another manifestation of mutual interest in developing cooperation,” said Islam Karimov. “While Uzbekistan and Indonesia are geographically far apart, the historical and spiritual closeness and a single religion make us close.”

Indonesia was one of the first foreign states that President Islam Karimov visited after Uzbekistan gained independence. The visit had laid the legal foundations for the development of relations between the countries.

The foreign ministries of the two states have been holding regular consultations that create opportunities to exchange views on important issues related to cooperation.

Indonesia is one of the important economic partners of Uzbekistan in Southeast Asia. A number of companies with Indonesian capital function in Uzbekistan, including Uzbekistan International (marketing in telecommunications) and PT Hikman Albros (hotel service).

Indonesia, like Uzbekistan, has a great potential and experience in the development and use of natural resources. The country produces oil, natural gas, coal, tin, copper, nickel, gold and other minerals. Considering this, it can be said that Uzbekistan-Indonesia cooperation in this field has great prospects.

The friendship society Uzbekistan-Indonesia makes a great contribution to strengthening the friendly ties between the peoples of the two countries. In 1997, a document on establishment of twin-city relations between Samarkand and Banda Aceh was signed. Since 2001, the center for study of the national language of Indonesia – Bahasa Indonesia – operates at the Samarkand Institute of Economy and Service.

During the visit of Foreign Minister Hasan Wirayuda to Tashkent an intergovernmental memorandum was signed on the establishment of a joint commission for bilateral cooperation, which demonstrates the interest of Uzbekistan and Indonesia to expansion of relationships in all spheres.

At the meeting with President of Uzbekistan, the Foreign Minister of Indonesia said his country was interested in expanding cooperation with Uzbekistan.
 

A conference devoted to enforcement of the mechanisms of the Law of the Republic of Uzbekistan “On guaranteeing the rights of the child” was held at the Legislative Chamber of the Oliy Majlis, UzA reported.

The event was organized by the Committee for democratic institutions, non-governmental organizations and self-government bodies of the lower house of parliament in connection with the 60th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

It was attended by representatives of concerned ministries and departments, non-profit and international organizations, scientists and experts, and moderated by the committee chairman Akmal Saidov.

President Islam Karimov signed a decree on 1 May 2008 “On the program of activities devoted to the 60th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights”. The declaration was the first international legal document Uzbekistan joined after proclaiming independence.

Uzbekistan has established a national legal system, which corresponds to international standards protecting the rights of the child. The Law “On guaranteeing the rights of the child” was signed by the President on 7 January 2008.

The adoption by the parliament of laws on ratification of the Convention on the Minimum Age for Admission to Employment and the Convention on the Prohibition and Immediate Action for the Elimination of the Worst Forms of Child Labor was an important step in protecting the rights of the child, the participants said.

The events scheduled in the state program “Year of Youth” take into account vital interests of the young generation, their material and moral support, professional and spiritual growth, meaningful leisure and healthy lifestyle.

The conference participants made suggestions on the implementation of the Law “On guaranteeing the rights of the child”.
 

The business forum of Uzbekistan and Indonesia was held in Tashkent on May 13, UzA reported. It was attended by heads of ministries and departments, companies and concerns of the two countries responsible for foreign economic relations, trade, banking and finance, fuel energy, construction, agriculture, tourism and telecommunications.

The Indonesian entrepreneurs representing about 10 companies received detailed information on the priorities for attracting investment in the economy of Uzbekistan. They got acquainted with the wide-scale privatization process in Uzbekistan, as well as development of small business and private enterprise.

Indonesian Foreign Minister Hassan Wirayuda said Uzbekistan had favorable investment environment and necessary conditions for foreign investors.

“Indonesia pays a great attention to cooperation with Uzbekistan,” Hasan Wirayuda said. “We are particularly interested in expanding trade-economic and investment ties.”

Uzbekistan exports to Indonesia plastics and plastic products, cotton fiber, fruit and vegetables and other products. Indonesia has been supplying Uzbekistan with mechanical and electronic equipment, ferrous metals, foodstuffs and other products.

The business forum participants discussed trade-economic and investment cooperation, development of ties in banking and finance, energy and mineral resources, telecommunications and tourism, attracting Indonesian companies to the privatization process in the country.
 

Foreign Minister of Indonesia Hasan Wirayuda met Speaker of the Legislative Chamber of Oliy Majlis of Uzbekistan Dilorom Tashmuhamedova on May 13, 2008, UzA reported.

During the talks, the sides noted the consistent development of cooperation between Uzbekistan and Indonesia in all fields, in particular, cooperation of the legislative bodies. They exchanged views on the current state and prospects of inter-parliamentary cooperation.

At the negotiations with the Foreign Minister of Uzbekistan Vladimir Norov issues of strengthening cooperation between Uzbekistan and Indonesia in all fields were discussed.

The two governments signed the memoranda of understanding to establish a joint commission for bilateral cooperation, and between the University of World Economy and Diplomacy of the Foreign Ministry of Uzbekistan and the Training Center of the Department of Foreign Affairs of Indonesia on cooperation in education and skills development in diplomatic sphere.

The members of the Indonesian delegation also visited the Hazrati Imam (Hastimom) complex in the capital.
 

The third International Youth Central Asian Film Festival “Creative Flight” started on May 12, 2008 at the State Institute of Arts of Uzbekistan, UzA reported.

The event has been organized by the National Agency Uzbekkino in collaboration with the Ministry of Culture and Sports, the Arts Academy, Public Youth Movement Kamolot, the National Television and Radio Company, Bukhara regional administration and Uzbekistan Railways company.

The main objective of the festival “Creative Flight” is to identify talented filmmakers and provide them with support and promote their works.

Along with works of young Uzbek filmmakers, films from Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan and Tajikistan will be presented at the festival.

Various meetings, master classes and other events will took place in the framework of the cinema forum, which will be held simultaneously in Tashkent and Bukhara.
 

President of Uzbekistan Islam Karimov received the Prime Minister of the Republic of Korea Han Seung-Soo on May 12б 2008 at the Oqsaroy residence in Tashkent, UzA reported.

“The fact that the new Prime Minister of the Republic of Korea started his foreign trips from the official visit to Uzbekistan is an important event in bilateral relations,” said the head of the state. “We consider your visit as a sign of special attention to our strengthening cooperation.”

Han Seung-Soo said his country highly valued the relations with Uzbekistan and was interested in further expansion of cooperation.

Relations between Uzbekistan and South Korea are based on the principles of strategic partnership. President Islam Karimov visited Seoul in February 2008 and participated in the official inauguration ceremony of the newly elected President Lee Myung-Bak, as well as held a series of negotiations. Lee Myung-Bak stressed that the Republic of Korea considered Uzbekistan a traditionally friendly country and was interested in the development of relations. The sides have similar views on expanding political, economic and humanitarian cooperation, as well as international and regional issues.

The similarity of views of Uzbekistan and the Republic of Korea on political matters creates good preconditions for the development of cooperation on the international arena. Uzbekistan supported the candidacy of Ban Ki-Moon to the post of the UN Secretary-General. The Republic of Korea supports the entry of Uzbekistan to the World Trade Organization.

The Republic of Korea is a major trade and economic partner of Uzbekistan in Southeast Asia. In 2007, trade turnover between the two countries exceeded USD 850 million. This year the figure is expected to reach USD 1 billion. The development of business relationships and new conditions for increased flow of investments creates good opportunities for this. Moreover, during the Seoul summit, President of Uzbekistan Islam Karimov met the heads of Korean Air and Korea Gas Corporation (KOGAS). At the negotiations, the agreement was reached on attracting investment into the economy of Uzbekistan in the amount of about USD 2 billion.

Friendship society Uzbekistan-Republic of Korea and the Korean Education Center play an important role in the development of humanitarian cooperation. The Uzbek State University of World Languages and Samarkand State Institute of Foreign Languages have Korean language and culture centers. Nine higher educational establishments of Uzbekistan have Korean Studies departments, while 112 schools teach Korean language. Relations between the science academies, ministries of health, education, labor and others are developing steadily.
 

Prime Minister of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev and the Prime Minister of the Republic of Korea Han Seung-Soo met in Tashkent on May 12, 2008, UzA reported. The sides considered issues of expansion of economic, cultural and humanitarian cooperation.

The prime ministers signed an intergovernmental framework agreement to provide long-term soft loans worth USD 120 million of the Economic Cooperation Development Fund for the period 2008-2011. Cooperation documents were also signed between the agencies for standardization, science, geology, oil and gas companies, as well as Asakabank of Uzbekistan and Eximbank of South Korea.

Relations between Uzbekistan and South Korea are developing intensively in almost all areas, particularly in the fields of oil and gas, energy, aircraft, engineering, commerce, industry, education, transport and transport communications, health, agriculture, electrical engineering. The volume of trade turnover in 2007 exceeded USD 850 million. More than 300 joint ventures established with participation of Korean investors operate in Uzbekistan. Over 70 South Korean companies have their representative offices in the country.

The prime ministers of Uzbekistan and Korea met representatives of business circles of the two countries. The Korean businessmen got acquainted with the privatization process and reforms in small business and private enterprise in Uzbekistan. They discussed expanding ties in engineering, oil and gas, energy, trade, banking and financial sectors and greater involvement of South Korean companies in privatization in Uzbekistan.

Shavkat Mirziyoyev and Han Seung-Soo also took part in the opening ceremony of the UzKorGasChemical joint venture on Surgil project. The company specializes in geological and exploration works at Surgil mine on the Ustyurt plateau, exploitation of deposits, producing polyethylene and polypropylene. It was established according to the memorandum of understanding signed between the Korea Gas Corporation and the national holding company Uzbekneftegaz during the state visit of the President Islam Karimov to the Republic of Korea in March 2006. The total cost of the project amounts to USD 1.84 billion.

On Sunday, Han Seung-Soo, accompanied by Prime Minister Shavkat Mirziyoyev, visited Almalyk Mining and Metallurgical Complex (AGMK) in Tashkent region. AGMK combines four enterprises producing ore raw materials, two metallurgical plant for the production of acid sulphate, mechanical-repair and lime plants, numerous subsidiary shop. 70% of its production is exported abroad.

The Prime Minister of the Republic of Korea visited Mustaqillik (Independence) Square in the center of Uzbek capital and laid flowers to the Monument of Independence and Humanism, a symbol of freedom, bright future and noble aspirations.

Han Seung-Soo also held talks with Chairman of Senate of Oliy Majlis Ilgizar Sabirov, which focused on the current state and prospects of cooperation between the supreme legislative bodies of Uzbekistan and the Republic of Korea.
 

The forum of business circles of Uzbekistan and the Republic of Korea was held in Tashkent on 12 May in the framework of the official visit of the South Korean Prime Minister. The participants considered expansion of Uzbek-Korean trade, economic and investment cooperation, UzA reported.

Heads of ministries and departments, companies and corporations related to foreign economic relations, fuel and energy sector, banking and finance, trade, construction, engineering, food, natural resources, chemistry, information technologies, transport and transport communications attended the forum.

The Korean businessmen were provided with detailed information on the conditions of investment in the Uzbek economy, the privatization process, reforms in the economy and development of the small business and private enterprise.

In 2007, the volume of trade turnover between the two countries exceeded USD 850 million. In Uzbekistan, with participation of Korean investment, operate 313 joint ventures and offices of 73 companies operate. They function in sectors like engineering, commerce, chemicals, food processing, light industry, metal processing, health, tourism and service.

The forum was attended by about 100 representatives of over 50 major South Korean companies.

The members of the South Korean delegation also visited a number of ministries and departments of Uzbekistan and held talks there.
 

‘O‘zbekiston Havo Yo‘llari’ National Air Company of Uzbekistan and ‘Air France’ reached an agreement on opening of the Paris-Urgench-Paris route, UzA reported.

The flight, starting from 1 September, will operate once a week.

A Boeing-757 plane conducted a technical flight recently from Paris to Urgench.

A representative of the Air France said the new flight would contribute to tourism development and strengthen relations between the two countries.
 

The 5 July heavyweight title fight between WBA champion Ruslan Chagaev of Uzbekistan and Nikolai Valuev of Russia will be held in Hannover, International Herald Tribune reported.

The fight was originally scheduled for 31 May in Oberhausen, but was postponed because Chagaev has a viral infection.

The unbeaten Chagaev (24 wins with 1 draw) won a majority decision against Valuev in April 2007. Valuev (48-1) won a lopsided decision against former WBO champion Sergei Liakhovich in February.

Universum promotions said Thursday that WBA middleweight champion Felix Sturm will fight Randy Griffin on the same card in Hannover.
 

Prime Minister of the Republic of Korea Han Seung-Soo, who is on an official visit to Uzbekistan, visited the Kalmakir deposit of the Almalyk Mining and Metallurgical Complex (AGMK) in Tashkent region on 11 May, UzA reported.

Prime Minister of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev accompanied him on the visit.

Han Seung-Soo familiarized himself with the activity of the complex, the production process and the working conditions.

AGMK combines four enterprises producing raw ore, two metallurgical plants producing acid sulphate, a mechanical-repair plant and a limestone plant, as well as numerous subsidiary shops and divisions. 70% of AGMK’s production is exported abroad.
 

Prime Minister of the Republic of Korea Han Seung-Soo arrives in Uzbekistan on an official visit on 11 May, UzA reported.

Shavkat Mirziyoyev, Prime Minister of Uzbekistan, welcomed the high-ranking guest at the Tashkent airport.

During the visit, Han Seung-Soo is expected to hold talks with the President of Uzbekistan Islam Karimov, as well as the Prime Minister and the Chairman of the Senate.

A forum with participation of representatives of business circles of the two countries is also planned.
 

President of Uzbekistan Islam Karimov received the Chairman of the Korean Air Yang-Ho Cho on May 10 at the Oqsaroy residence in Tashkent, UzA reported.

During the visit of the President of Uzbekistan to the Republic of Korea this February a memorandum of cooperation between the national air company O‘zbekiston Havo Yo‘llari and Korean Air was signed. The document envisages expansion of practical partnership in the development of new markets, development of logistics infrastructure in Uzbekistan, exchange of experience in the management of civil aviation and personnel training.

The Korean Air occupies the first place in the world in air cargo transportation. In accordance with the agreement reached during the visit of Islam Karimov to South Korea, O‘zbekiston Havo Yo‘llari on the proposal of Korean Air will join the international aviation alliance Sky Team during 2008-2009.

This alliance, uniting the world’s largest airlines, controls 35% of the passenger and cargo transportation market. Cooperation with Sky Team will open new opportunities for further integration of O‘zbekiston Havo Yo‘llari in the international air transportation system, held to improve security and ensure the regularity of flights.

During the talks at the Oqsaroy residence, the sides exchanged opinions on issues related to further development of cooperation between O‘zbekiston Havo Yo‘llari and Korean Air.
 

Uzbekistan celebrates the Day of Memory and Honor on May 9, UzA reported.

President of Uzbekistan Islam Karimov laid a wreath to the Monument of Grieving Mother in the center of Tashkent on this day.

The head of the state rendered a tribute to the memory of thousands of compatriots who lost their lives during the World War II.

“There is no family in Uzbekistan that was not affected by the war,” said Islam Karimov.

“The Uzbek people made a great contribution to this victory. 1.5 million people from Uzbekistan fought in the war, and more than 450,000 had died. We will never forget them,” he said.

“We should bow to the memory of the fallen and honor the living. This should be an integral part of the life of our youth and all people,” he added.
 

Tashkent and Bukhara will host the third Youth film festival of Central Asian countries “Creative Flight” on May 12-18, 2007, UzA reported.

Organized by Uzbekkino national agency, Ministry of Culture and Sports, National Television and Radio Company, administration of Bukhara region, National Arts Institute, Arts Academy and other bodies, the festival aims to showcase works of young talents in the field of cinematography.

The upcoming film festival includes 35 movies in the contest program. Among them are “Let the sun always shine” by L.Maurekenov, “Safura” by B.Shibikeyev, “Hope” by M.Bakeyeva of Kazakhstan, “Child’s duty” by D.Niyazov of Turkmenistan and others.

Moreover, new movies will be showed off the contest program and master classes will take place.

The festival also includes modern film and video equipment exhibition in Tashkent’s Uzexpocenter.
 

The Third International Exhibition and sale of mini technologies and compact equipment for agriculture was held on May 3-6, 2008 in Tashkent, UzA reported. It was organized by the Ministry of Foreign Economic Relations, Investment and Trade of the Republic of Uzbekistan.

Dozens of companies from more than 20 countries such as Uzbekistan, Russia, China, Austria, Germany, Sweden, Italy, Israel, Indonesia, Republic of Korea, Slovakia, Poland, Ukraine, France, Czech Republic, Turkey and Iran presented their products and services.

Mini technologies used in food and agricultural industry, mini equipment for production, processing and packaging of fruits and vegetables, dairy products, poultry, chemicals for plant protection, leather processing, etc. were represented at the exhibition.

“We are participating for the second time at this exhibition,” said Li Hilin, president of Vantoni, Chinese company. “We are impressed by the high level of organization and the range of products and services.” Vantoni specializes in production of cotton and grain combines.

In the framework of the exhibition, workshops were held on mini technologies used for processing fruit and vegetable and meat and dairy products, advanced technologies in poultry farming, horticulture and the use of filling equipment. Domestic and foreign manufacturers familiarized the participants with their technologies and equipment.
 

Deputy Resident Representative of the UNDP Country Office in Uzbekistan Kyoko Postill and the Chairman of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Uzbekistan Alisher Shaykhov formally opened the Arbitration Development Center under the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Uzbekistan on May 2, 2008, UzReportcom reported.

The Arbitration Development Center was founded within the joint project of the UNDP Country Office in Uzbekistan and the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Uzbekistan "Supporting to the development of arbitration courts and other alternative methods of dispute settlement in the Republic of Uzbekistan" (Arbitration project). The project focuses on development of the arbitration courts and other alternative ways of dispute resolution through creation of the Center.

Uzbekistan adopted the Law "On arbitration" in 2006, which was aimed at regulation of creation and operation of arbitration courts in Uzbekistan. The law came into force in February 2007.

The Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Uzbekistan created arbitration courts in all regions of Uzbekistan to develop favorable conditions for development of the system in the country. The courts reviewed over 700 cases in 2007.

The novelty of the system in Uzbekistan creates some difficulties for further development and popularization of the arbitration court in the country. Among the problems are lower number of skilled arbitration judges, inexistence of methodology and rules of documents circulation, low knowledge of businesses and population of the arbitration, etc.

Kyoko Postill said: "Our project with the Chamber responds to these challenges. The Center will work on improvement of the relevant legislation and set procedures to conduct arbitration trial and provide recommendations to improve their activities. The important part of the Center's work will be to train and eventually certify judges and mediators, so that they can improve their knowledge and skills."

"Our hope is that this project, by establishing the Center to improve the functioning of the arbitration court and alternative ways of dispute resolution, will ultimately contribute to the improvement of the business climate in Uzbekistan," she added.

During the opening ceremony, the Center staff presented the main work areas of the newly created institution and its plans for 2008. The participants also shared their views on improvement of legal base and procedures of arbitration system.
 

42th Mendeleyev International Chemistry Olympiad among schoolchildren ended in Tashkent on Sunday. Representatives of Uzbekistan won one gold, one silver and eight bronze medals, taking the first place in the team event.

The closing ceremony of the Olympiad was held at the Tashkent branch of the Moscow State University named after Lomonosov, UzA reported. Teams from Uzbekistan, Russia, Ukraine, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Azerbaijan, Armenia, Latvia, Estonia, Moldova, Romania and Bulgaria participated in the Olympiad.

Speaking at the event, co-chairman of the Olympiad organizing committee, dean of the Chemistry Department of Moscow State University academician V.Lunin expressed gratitude to the leadership of Uzbekistan for the high level of organization of the event.

The team of Uzbekistan was formed from the qualifying rounds among schoolchildren and students of academic lyceums and professional colleges at the district, municipal, provincial and national stages.

10 of them were included in the main team, and 5 have participated as a reserve. Student of the academic lyceum at the Tashkent Pediatric Medical Institute Anvarkhoja Maksudkhojayev received the gold medal, while his schoolmate Ravshan Mirzayev the silver medal.

In the team event, students from Ukraine took the second and the representatives of Russia the third place.

A total of 9 young chemists were awarded gold medals, 15 received silver and 28 got bronze medals. 29 students received special diplomas.

Students who were awarded medals at the Olympiad are given the right to enter the Moscow State University and universities of the participating countries without examinations.
 

On May 3, the third International specialized exhibition and sale of mini technologies and compact equipment for agriculture “Uzbekistan Agrominitech Expo-2008” opened in Tashkent, UzA reported.

The event has been organized by the Ministry of Foreign Economic Relations, Investments and Trade of the Republic of Uzbekistan.

About 70 companies from more than 20 countries including Uzbekistan, Russia, China, Austria, Germany, Sweden, Italy, the Netherlands, Israel, Indonesia, South Korea, Slovakia, Poland, Ukraine, France, Czech Republic, Turkey and Iran offer their products and services at the exhibition.

A variety of mini technologies used in food and agricultural industries, production, processing, packing and weighing equipment, plant protection chemicals are demonstrated at the exhibition.
 

On April 21, 2008 the President of Uzbekistan Islam Karimov promulgated the Law "On mandatory insurance of civil liability of vehicle owners" passed by the Legislative Chamber on February 21, 2008 and ratified by the Senate on March 27, 2008, UzReportcom reported.

According to the abovementioned law, the vehicle owners are obliged to insure their civil liability for any harm caused to life, health and (or) property of the third parties while driving. It also prohibits the use of vehicles whose owners do not have their liability insured on the territory of the Republic of Uzbekistan.

At the same time the owners of vehicles are obliged to insure their civil liability no later than within ten days after becoming the owner of a vehicle (purchasing it, receiving for operational use, or on other legal grounds).

The insurance rates for mandatory insurance (their maximum levels), the structure of the insurance rates and the order of their application by the insurance companies in determination of the sum of insurance premiums under the contract of mandatory insurance will be established by the Cabinet of Ministers of the Republic of Uzbekistan.

The Law establishes that in order to render the services on the mandatory insurance of civil liability of vehicle owners the insurance company should have a special license and have its representatives in all regions of the country authorized to sign contracts on mandatory insurance, consider the claims of its clients for insurance coverage and make insurance coverage payouts.

The Law envisages the establishment of a special fund the main task of which will be to ensure guaranteed competition of the coverage to those who suffer from the use of vehicles. The fund will be formed through the contributions of the insurance companies licensed to render the services on mandatory insurance of the liability of vehicle owners.

Control over the performance of the obligations to purchase liability insurance by the vehicle owners is laid upon the road safety agencies, and is to be exercised in the process of registration, organisation of technical examination of vehicles, and other functions as a part of control over the compliance with the road rules, as well as the normative-legal acts on assurance of safety on the roads.

On 21 April 2008 the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan also signed the Law "On introduction of amendments and addenda to certain legislative acts of the Republic of Uzbekistan due to the adoption of the Law of the Republic of Uzbekistan "On mandatory insurance of civil liability of vehicle owners", according to which a number of amendments were introduced to the Code of the Republic of Uzbekistan on Administrative Amenability, the Civil Code of the Republic of Uzbekistan and the Law of the Republic of Uzbekistan "On insurance activity."
 

This year, the international community is celebrating the 60th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which outlines the basic democratic principles and requirements in the field of human rights and freedoms and has become a political and legal basis for the formation of the entire system of international law in this area.

The Universal Declaration of Human Rights was the first international legal document that Uzbekistan joined after proclaiming independence. During the pas years, the country signed 60 major human rights documents and became a party to six international treaties adopted by the UN in this field.

Supporting the message of the UN Secretary General on the Human Rights Day, and in order to improve the system of organizational and legislative measures of human rights protection, President of Uzbekistan signed a decree on 1 May 2008 approving the Program of activities devoted to the 60th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, UzA reported.

The document approves a special commission to implement the above-named program, and entrusts state organizations and agencies, public associations and the media to take an active part in the events dedicated to the 60th anniversary of the declaration.

The Legislative Chamber and the Senate of the Oliy Majlis, as well as the Cabinet of Ministers of Uzbekistan have been charged with implementing measures during 2008-2009 to prepare draft legislative documents aimed at improving the regulatory framework of protection of political, social and economic rights and freedoms of citizens, as well as to ensure strict implementation of the laws in this sphere.

Relevant bodies have been charged with “critically analyzing the activities of human rights departments at the Ministry of Justice, General Prosecutor’s Office and the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Uzbekistan and creating proposals on improvement of their efficiency” within three months.

The Cabinet has been told to develop and implemented until the year end a set of measures to provide state support to national human rights institutions and create other conditions for the efficient work of the Ombudsman, National Human Rights Centre and other institutions.

Taking into account the message of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, the Ministry of Finance of Uzbekistan has been charged with allocating funds in the amount of USD 100,000 as a voluntary contribution of Uzbekistan in the OHCHR special fund to support the efforts of the UN in the realization of the main aims of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

According to the Presidential decree, the Ministry of Higher and Specialized Secondary Education should introduce special programs to explore domestic and international experience of participation of the media in human rights protection in the curricula of the universities preparing and retraining journalists.

As part of the activities devoted the 60th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, round tables, seminars and lectures on state policy to ensure protection of human rights and interests will be held at educational institutions and among the youth.

On the Human Rights Day (10 December) all schools, lyceums, colleges and higher educational institutions in the country will hold a nationwide class devoted to the 60th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
 

Tashkent hosted an international conference devoted to issues of security and sustainable development in Central Asia entitled “Peace and stability in Afghanistan: ways and methods of achieving them” on April 29-30, 2008, UzA reported.

The event was organized by the Regional Policy Foundation and the Center for Policy Studies (Uzbekistan), together with the OSCE Projects Coordinator in Uzbekistan, the United States Agency for International Development and the Institute for New Democracies (USA). The conference was attended by more than 40 political scientists and security experts from 20 countries in Asia, America and Europe.

The forum participants extensively discussed issues of security and sustainable development in the region and came to a single conclusion: today the situation in Afghanistan, whose people for almost 30 years have not seen a peaceful life, remains the main factor affecting the security and sustainable development in Central Asian region, as well as global security. At the same time, the experts made another important conclusion: military methods for solving the Afghan problem have exhausted themselves. Focusing only on the military solution to the Afghan issue is counterproductive and may lead to further confrontations in the country. Besides, the conflict may spread into the neighboring countries.

The only way to solve the Afghan crisis is to search for optimal peaceful solution of the problems to achieve security and stability in Afghanistan.

This is why the conference participants broadly supported the proposals of the President of Uzbekistan Islam Karimov to achieve peace and stability in Afghanistan, voiced at the NATO/EAPC summit in Bucharest on 3 April 2008.

“Bucharest initiatives of the President of Uzbekistan Islam Karimov are a globally significant contribution to solving the problem of security in the region,” Professor Vitaly Naumkin, president of the Center for Strategic and Political Studies (Russia), said. “In fact, the leader of Uzbekistan offered a new model of open cooperation, which will ensure security in Central Asia.”

Pointing to the fact that Uzbekistan proposed clear and well-thought ways of peaceful solution to the problems of Afghanistan, expert of the Caucasus Research Centre Paramjit Sahay (India) noted: “Indeed, the use of force has not proved helpful in addressing the Afghan conflict, and all opportunities have been exhausted in this regard. The situation in Afghanistan can only be resolved through broad cooperation and political consent. It is necessary, first of all, to draw the attention to social sectors like education, health and projects for economic rehabilitation of Afghanistan. From this perspective, the initiatives of President Islam Karimov put forward in Bucharest are extremely important.”

“Initiatives of Uzbekistan are extremely important. These timely proposals will help find an effective way of stabilizing Afghanistan,” president of the Institute of Regional Studies, General Jamsheed Ayaz Khan (Pakistan) said. “As a military person I can say that all possibilities for reaching peace in Afghanistan using military force have been exhausted. Stability in Afghanistan will lead to the development of multilateral relations and serve as an important factor for stable development of Central Asia. This, in turn, will help implementing major projects in energy and transport links between the countries of Central Asia and our ports, oil and gas pipelines, as well as increase the number of export and import operations.”

Speaking at the conference, an expert of the Centre for Conflict and Peace Studies of Afghanistan Najeeb ur Rahman Manalay emphasized that his country could not reach peace by military means. In his opinion, to solve the stabilization problem, people of Afghanistan had to receive social and economic assistance. If people have the sense of creativity there, they will start working, earning and being responsible for the prosperity, welfare and peace in their country. These are the solutions of the Afghan crisis that the initiatives of Uzbekistan are aimed at.

The experts participating in the conference showed full support of the proposals of the head of Uzbekistan to transform the group 6+2, which operated until 2001, into the contact group 6+3 to reach peace and stability in Afghanistan.

According to analysts, the contact group, which should include six countries neighboring Afghanistan – Iran, China, Pakistan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan, as well as Russia, US and NATO, could become a crucial platform for discussion and formulation of common principles and approaches to find ways to resolve the Afghan problem and to reach common understanding and interest to achieve peace and consent in Afghanistan. Working under the auspices of the UN as an advisory body to this authoritative organization, the contact group 6+3 could make a significant contribution to the efforts of the international community and peaceful mission for reconstruction and economic revival of Afghanistan, as well as organization of the negotiating process between the warring and conflicting parties in finding mutually acceptable solutions to the Afghan crisis. The group’s main task could be developing proposals to expand economic and humanitarian assistance to Afghanistan in the framework of various international programs and mainly UN programs.

“This new idea will enable active and large-scale international cooperation in stabilizing the situation in Afghanistan,” professor of the School of Eastern and African Studies of the University of London Shirin Akiner (UK) noted.

Deputy director of the Center for Justice and Rule of Law at the University of East Kentucky (USA) Cynthia Collins Shane also believes that the resumption of the negotiating process within the contact group 6+3 will be an important factor in advancing new ideas in development of common approaches to resolve the Afghan problem and adoption of mutually coordinated solutions.

The conference participants paid a particular attention to discussing the part of Uzbekistan’s proposals to achieve peace and stability in Afghanistan, in which the importance of ensuring priority solution of social, economic and employment problems and strengthening the vertical of authority was noted.

As deputy director of the Russia and Central Asia Division of the Shanghai Institute of International Relations Nin Qiang pointed out, “President Islam Karimov said in Bucharest that sustainable social and economic development was the main target in ensuring security in Afghanistan and in the region. This is quite logical and justified”.

Director of the Institute of Eastern European and CIS countries (Israel) Alexander Zinker believes that “all proposals of the Uzbek leader were well thought-out and accurate in their essence and in the possibility of implementation. Indeed, it is necessary, first of all, to restore the socio-economic sphere, build schools, hospitals and employ the people. We must once and forever resolve the problem with Afghan borders, which are now freely crossed by both drug traffickers and terrorists”. At the same time, he stressed that “local traditions should necessarily be taken into account”.

As a key condition for stabilizing the situation in Afghanistan and bringing peace to this troubled land, the experts noted the need to respect and support traditional religious, ethnic and cultural values and customs of the multi-ethnic people of Afghanistan, respect for the interests of national minorities, inadmissibility of biased attacks and defamation on the religion of Islam, as was voiced by President of Uzbekistan.

Afghan experts noted that the Uzbek leader’s call to respect traditions, customs and religion of the Afghan people is aimed at spiritual development of Afghanistan. So far, nobody paid attention to these issues, although the Afghan people have a rich history and their place in the world civilization.

According to independent expert Francis Tibor Miko (USA), “there is a whole layer of urgent issues related to ethnic problems and problems affecting the socio-economic stability in the region. In this regard, the initiative of the President of Uzbekistan will serve as a bridge for the development of a more intensive cooperation and a more effective solution to ensure stability in Afghanistan”.

The expert of the Institute of International Studies (UK) Christopher Roland Lengton emphasized that “proposals of Islam Karimov are very interesting and are based on the real situation in Afghanistan. I also believe that without strengthening the vertical of power in Afghanistan nothing can be achieved. Authorities that people trust must be created, but with consideration of the local peculiarities”.

Summing up the conference, its participants stressed that the forum provided an opportunity to express their positions and started a deep expert study of Uzbekistan’s initiatives put forward at the NATO/EAPC summit in Bucharest. This will undoubtedly contribute to the cause of peace and stability in Afghanistan and further socio-economic development of the entire Central Asian region, they said.