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LATEST NEWS : MAY 2009

UzA

President of Uzbekistan Islam Karimov visited Rio-de-Janeiro on the third day of his official visit to Brazil on 29 May.

Here he met with the city mayor Eduardo Paes to consider issues of cooperation between Uzbekistan and Brazil in the field of town-building, protection of historical monuments, attracting tourists, improvement of the city infrastructure and others.

The cooperation on agreement between Tashkent and Rio-de-Janeiro was signed.

The head of the state visited the world’s largest stadium Marakana. Built in 1965, the construction is called the national stadium of Brazil.

Islam Karimov completed his three-day official visit to Brazil. As reported earlier, during the visit, more than 10 documents were signed between the two countries.

They will serve to expanding cooperation between Uzbekistan and Brazil in various areas.

Information agency “Jahon”

Brasilia, Brazil - On May 27 this year on the invitation of the President of the Federative Republic of Brazil Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Islam Karimov arrived in this country on an official visit.

On the arrival at the airport President of Uzbekistan Islam Karimov has been given an official welcome in the company of delegations led by top-level officials of the two countries.

Twenty-one volleys have been fired in honor of the Uzbek Leader, who has later passed by the guard of honor specially lined up at the airport to meet the high-level incoming guest.

On May 28 President of Uzbekistan Islam Karimov had talks with his Brazilian counterpart, President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva.

During their negotiations in the city of Brasilia, the capital of the Federative Republic of Brazil, the two presidents exchanged views on the issues of the Uzbek-Brazilian relations, problems of regional and international nature of mutual interest.

Also, the same day President Islam Karimov has had talks with other Brazilian officials.

Following the negotiations the two sides have signed a considerable package of bilateral documents aimed at laying the foundation for the successful cooperation in the days to come as well as consolidating the ties in the spheres of socio-political, trade-economic and cultural-humanitarian relations.

The senator of the Kingdom of Belgium, the chairman of the “Belgium-Uzbekistan” parliamentary cooperation group Yves Leterm is visiting Uzbekistan, according to the Uzbekistan National News Agency.

On May 27 Mr. Leterm had talks at the Upper House of national bicameral parliament – the Senate of Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan.

The sides have said that the relations between Uzbekistan and Belgium were consistently developing in all spheres, including in the area of parliamentary relations. They have also said that the arrangements secured during the top-level meetings of heads of two states served as a major legal basis along such process.

The cooperation between the lawmaking bodies of states is important in terms of consolidating the legal basis of bilateral relations. At the Upper House Mr. Yves Leterm has been told about the activity of bicameral parliament of Uzbekistan.

“We are glad that the relations of Belgium and Uzbekistan are consistently developing in all directions,” Mr. Leterm has said. “While visiting Uzbekistan we have been convinced that the reforms in Uzbekistan were considerable and successful in terms of renewing and modernizing the society. We stand for further strengthening of the mutually beneficial cooperation between our countries.”

The same day Mr. Leterm has had negotiations at the Tashkent State Institute of Law, according to the news agency report.

These days the delegation led by Prince Michael of Kent is visiting Uzbekistan, according to the Narodnoye slovo national newspaper. On May 27 the delegation members visited the Westminster International University in Tashkent and met with teaching faculty and the students.

This university established on the resolution of President Islam Karimov in 2002 is a practical outcome of cooperation between Uzbekistan and the United Kingdom in the sphere of education, according to the newspaper.

The main goal of establishing such prestigious higher educational establishment in Tashkent is to create all necessary conditions for unveiling the intellectual potential of the Uzbek young men and women, raising the efficiency of the contribution they make to the social and economic development of the country, as much as expanding the international cooperation in the system of higher education.

Seeing around the university, the British delegation is reported to have highly assessed the educational process, as well as the conditions created for the students to get into an depth learning and studies. Also, the delegation members participated in inaugurating the new sporting complex at the university, according to the report.

UzA

All three football clubs, Neftchi, Bunyodkor and Pakhtakor from Uzbekistan won away matches at AFC tournaments.

Neftchi advanced to the quarter-finals of the AFC Cup after beating Syria’s Al Maged 3-1 on penalties after holding on for a goalless draw at Al Abbassiyin Stadium on Tuesday.

The home side continued their early pressure and again went close four minutes later when Al Zino curled a free-kick just over the crossbar.

The pressure continued and Al Maged had further chances to take the lead after 15 minutes when Mouhanad Asaad was denied by Neftchi goalkeeper Tsoy.

Neftchi almost snatched a late winner against the run of play with 13 minutes remaining as Islom Tuhtahujaev headed over before Akmal Kholikov also headed over for the visitors in the last minute of normal time.

Extra-time failed to yield a real chance for either side and in the shoot-out Neftchi prevailed as Tsoy saved from Al Zino and Asaad and Al Kaddour missed from the spot.

Uzbek champions Bunyodkor beat Iranian giants Persepolis 1-0, courtesy Brazilian Rivaldo who rolled back the years to slot the ball from the spot and advanced into the quarter-finals of the AFC Champions League.

The contest began at a frantic pace with Bunyodkor and Rivaldo enjoying early dominance and after eight minutes Server Djeparov crossed for Ulugbek Bakaev to head over at the far post.

The visitors continued to dominate and had another chance as Brazilian full-back Edson Ramos was denied by the legs of Persepolis goalkeeper Misagh Memarzadeh after Rivaldo’s shot from the edge of the area deflected into his path on the edge of the six yard area.

After injured Bunyodkor centre-back Gochguly Gochguliyev had to be replaced by the towering figure of Bakhtiyor Ashurmatov, Rivaldo guided a header wide midway through the first half before Timur Kapadze tried his luck from the edge of the area.

Captain Ali Karimi had the home side’s first real chance as his dipping free-kick from the edge of the area just failed to find a way under the crossbar.

But four minutes before the break Bunyodkor broke the deadlock as Rivaldo calmly converted from the spot after going to ground while under pressure from Sepehr Heydari and Nabiollah Bagheriha as he looked to turn on the edge of the area.

A minute before the break Murotjon Zukhurov preserved his side’s lead as he produced an athletic dive to turn away Bagheriha’s header which looked destined for the bottom corner from Karimi’s inviting cross before beating away the defender’s shot in first half stoppage time.

Alireza Vahedi Nikbakht headed wide for the home just after the break as Persepolis made an encouraging start to the second half with Bunyodkor happy to threaten on the counterattack to preserve their slender lead.

With 20 minutes remaining Persepolis still had failed to create a clear-cut opportunity and Rivaldo had a chance to seal the win minutes later following another Bunyodkor counterattack but was blocked out as he attempted to shoot despite Jasur Hasanov being unmarked inside the area.

Memarzadeh denied Bunyodkor’s Azizbek Haydarov with six minutes remaining, while Persepolis had only Karimi’s blocked shot in the closing stages to show for their efforts as Iran’s last surviving representatives in the AFC Champions League bowed out tamely.

ACL ever-presents Pakhtakor, however, had to come from behind to notch up a creditable 2-1 victory over Saudi Arabia’s Ettifaq.

Ettifaq, who had a 100% home record in winning Group D, dominated the first-half but despite having several clear cut chances the home side had only Prince Tagoe’s 33rd minute strike to show for their efforts.

And after failing to reproduce the dominance in the second-half as Pakhtakor took control, first-half substitute Zaynitdin Tadjiyev equalised with 11 minutes remaining before second-half substitute Geynrikh sent Pakhtakor through to the last eight.

Welcoming Address by President of the Republic of Uzbekistan H.E. Mr. Islam Karimov to the Participants of the International Scientific-Practical Conference “The Global Financial-Economic Crisis, Ways and Measures to Overcome it in the Conditions of Uzbekistan”


Dear participants of the conference!
Distinguished guests!

I cordially welcome you at the capital of Uzbekistan – the city of Tashkent – at the conference dedicated to the problems of the global financial-economic crisis, ways and measures to overcome it in the conditions of Uzbekistan.

At the moment, the global economy experiences one of the most critical stages of its development for over the last decades. The world for the first time came across with the global financial-economic crisis, which has impacted practically all countries.

The Summits of the 20 leading states of the world that took place in November 2008 in Washington and in April 2009 in London have confirmed not only the global scale of the financial-economic crisis, but also the need of the joint search and coordination of the efforts of all countries of the world to address it.

During this process not only the current economic policy is being rethought at many countries, but also on the whole the strategy, concept and principles of reforming and managing the economy.

We must admit that many earlier active principles declared as indisputable truths are now subjected to critical analysis with the search for the new approaches and new decisions being underway.

In the context of such quests, it is being submitted to the discussion of participants of the conference the time-honored model tested in the conditions of Uzbekistan, which embodies, above all, the basic principles on establishing the new socially-oriented market economy in the country, the essence of which lay in the priority of economy over politics, entrusting the state the role of a main reformer, ensuring the rule of law, carrying out the strong social policy and providing for successiveness and consistency of implementing the course of reforms.

These very principles, which had been laid to the foundation of establishing the legislative and institutional systems, have created a reliable barrier and sufficient safety factor to guard against the influence of unmanageable storm and lack of control at the global financial and stock markets, have ensured the sustainable functioning of the financial-economic and banking spheres and the activeness of investment activity.

The dynamic and sustainable growth of Uzbekistan’s economy for over the last years confirms the viability and effectiveness of the model of development we chose. The growth rates of economy for over the last five years alone exceeded on average 8 percent and in the first quarter of 2009 have made up 7,9 percent, and according to the IMF projections on the whole this year the growth rate will account for no less than 7 percent.

The stable and high growth rates of export, investments, surplus of the trade balance, current account, the state budget and the sustainable growth of the official reserves amid moderate level of external borrowings are also characteristic to our economy.

Speaking about the experience of the economic development of Uzbekistan and securing the sustainability in the conditions of the broken out global financial-economic crisis, I would like to note the following conclusions and provisions, which I believe are of an important significance.

First, one should not make a fetish of the market relations, proceeding from the principle that the market (supply and demand) decides everything. The life-long practice has numerously proved that the regulation of economic and financial relations, use of the role of state in choosing the priorities for addressing the extreme situations (if to take into account that the market acts in line with Darwinian principle – the strongest wins), the role of state that represents the interests of majority of population, conducting the strong social policy and long-term national strategy cannot be replaced with anything and anybody.

Second, today it is especially difficult for those countries, which under many circumstances have become during the last 15-20 years the hostages of surge of the world prices for hydrocarbon and on the whole the mineral raw, or as it is said, while not realizing on their own they have found themselves in pervasive dependence on the “price bubbles” artificially fanned by certain speculative circles of the world business.

The problems, which very many countries are experiencing due to the financial and economic global crisis, are now already confirming that, firstly, those countries remain on the win for whom the modernization and diversification of economy, continuous process of renewal of production and introduction of innovative technologies has been and remains a chief priority in the development of the country.

Truly understanding the deep significance of this fact and constant system-based deeply thought-out work to implement this prevailing priority is a key to success at any and most extreme situations.

Third, one of the most important achievements of the G20 meeting in London was that, as we believe, the reasonable approach has prevailed in the discussions, the essence of which could be defined by a simple and comprehensible truth: First one should extinguish the fire brought about by the global financial-economic crisis and only after that establish the models of transition from the obsolete Breton-Wood system and its institutions towards the new financial-banking system, principles of its regulation and adopt the new financial instruments.

Dear participants of the conference!

Allow me express the hope that during the constructive and fruitful discussion at the forum the new ideas and practical ways to overcome the negative consequences of the financial-economic crisis will be proposed, that the results of the conference will allow deepen the vision and comprehension by the international community of the experience of Uzbekistan and other countries, which thanks to consistent and deeply thought-out policy of reforming and modernizing the national economies effectively withstand the challenges brought about by the global financial-economic crisis.

I am confident that the new ideas delivered during the work of the conference will make substantial contribution to the theory and practice of developing and reforming the financial and economic system at the country, regional and global level.

Most Sincerely,

Islam Karimov,
President of the Republic of Uzbekistan

UzA

Tashkent hosted the international conference devoted to examining the Uzbek model of reforms and the experience of forming the stable national economy on 22 May. The focus of the forum was on the book of the President of Uzbekistan Islam Karimov titled “The world financial and economic crisis. Ways and measures to overcome the crisis in Uzbekistan”.

The conference was attended by over 350 state and public figures, businessmen, scientists and experts from 60 countries, representatives of 30 international organizations and financial institutions, including the International Monetary Fund, the World Bank, the Asian Development Bank, the Islamic Development Bank, the United Nations and its structures.

The President of Uzbekistan Islam Karimov sent a welcoming greeting to the participants of the international conference, which was read by the state adviser to the President V.Golyshev.

In their reports, the participants emphasized that the results of the Uzbek model of transition to the socially oriented market economy were based on five principles, outlined in the first years of independence. These principles have helped achieve high rates of economic growth, macroeconomic stability, large-scale structural transformations of economy, diversification and growth of exports and attraction of foreign investment.

The Anti-crisis program started last year is a logical continuation of the work aimed at fundamental changes in the structure of the economy, modernization of production, strengthening the banking system, creating modern market mechanisms, institutions and infrastructure.

The speakers at the plenary session, including representatives of international organizations, foreign governments, scientists and businessmen, said the timely actions taken by Uzbekistan to reform the economy had served as a reliable barrier to the consequences of the global economic crisis.

UzA

The Legislative Chamber of Oliy Majlis of Uzbekistan hosted a seminar on the role of parliament in the implementation on the Convention on the rights of the child and other international agreements related to protection of children’s rights.

The event was organized by the Committee for democratic institutes, NGOs and citizens’ self-government bodies of the parliament’s lower chamber jointly with the UNICEF office in Uzbekistan.

The seminar participants said that protection of the rights and interests of the children and young people was one of the priority directions of the state policy.

The laws adopted in this sphere serve to creation of socioeconomic, legal and organizational conditions for the children’s harmonious development and guarantee their rights and freedoms.

In January 2008, Uzbekistan adopted the law on the guarantees of the rights of the child. The document creates necessary prerequisites for raising the protection of the children’s rights to a higher level.

The participants of the seminar considered issues of reflection of the requirements of the convention and international acts in the national legislation, as well as the role of parliament in protecting children’s rights.

UzA

The Speaker of the Malaysian Parliament’s House of Representatives Tan Sri Pandikar Amin Haji Mulia is on a visit in Uzbekistan.

On 20 May, he met the Speaker of the Legislative Chamber of Oliy Majlis of Uzbekistan Dilorom Tashmuhamedova.

The sides considered issues of cooperation between the higher legislative bodies of the two states. They positively evaluated the current level of cooperation.

“Uzbekistan is one of Malaysia’s leading partners in Central Asia,” Tan Sri Pandikar Amin Haji Mulia said. “The relations between our states are developing in all spheres.”

The negotiations in Tashkent will serve to deepening of relations in the parliamentary field, he added.

The Malaysian delegation also held talks with the Chairman of the Senate of the Oliy Majlis of Uzbekistan Ilgizar Sabirov.

As has been earlier reported, on May 10-12 this year the President of the Republic of Korea Lee Myung-bak paid a State visit to Uzbekistan.

As a part of the visit, which has served as yet another major step in further consolidating the bilateral ties between the two countries in various areas of cooperation, the Korean leader has had talks with his counterpart President Islam Karimov.

On May 11, following both their tête-à-tête and delegation level talks, the two presidents appeared before the mass media to answer the questions.

Below is an overview text on the outcomes of the said press-conference given by President Islam Karimov of Uzbekistan and President Lee Myung-bak of South Korea.

Opening the press-conference President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Islam Karimov has welcomed with pleasure the President of the Republic of Korea Lee Myung-bak and all members of the Korean delegation on the soil of Uzbekistan and had said that the State visit paid by President Lee Myung-bak to Uzbekistan has been considered as an important political and landmark event in the history of Uzbek-Korean relations, as a fine opportunity to analyze in detail, assess the current state and prospects of bilateral relations, as well as fill the Uzbek-Korean strategic cooperation with practical substance.

“At the moment, for us the Republic of Korea is a reliable and time-honored one of the leading partners the relations with which are acquiring the long-term and sustainable nature. Thanks to its assistance and support the most important projects are being implemented in our country to reform, modernize and diversify the economy,” President Islam Karimov said.

According to the Uzbek Leader, “the negotiations, which passed in an open and trustworthy atmosphere, have once again confirmed the firm political will of sides to consistently deepen and expand the versatile long-term cooperation that meets the interests of parties”.

President of Uzbekistan has noted the closeness and coincidence of positions and approaches of the two sides practically on all of the discussed issues.

“Uzbekistan supports the comprehensively balanced and well thought-out foreign policy of the Republic of Korea, the policy aimed at ensuring peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula and entire world, addressing all disputed issues by peaceful diplomatic ways,” President Islam Karimov said.

It has been noted with pleasure the unprecedented growth of bilateral trade in 2008 which exceeded 1 billion US dollars – over 80 percent higher the indicator of the previous year. The volume of South Korean investments into Uzbekistan’s economy has exceeded 2 billion dollars.

The sum of technical and gratuitous aid to Uzbekistan rendered by the Republic of Korea reached more than 175 million US dollars. During this visit by President Lee Myung-bak to Uzbekistan the sides have signed the document on rendering assistance worth 12 million dollars to equip the Surgery Institute named after Vakhidov.
“I can say without any exaggeration that particularly the South Korea played a leading role in implementing the state program for cadres training in terms of organizing and equipping the colleges and lyceums with the cutting-edge computer technology – the practice which already bears its results and effectiveness,” President Islam Karimov has underscored.

The Uzbek Leader has reminded that his first visit to South Korea in 1992, as much as those paid afterwards, promoted the atmosphere of trust established between the two countries. He has expressed confidence that in the days to come the Republic of Korea would continue to play a leading role in supplying the Uzbek higher educational institutions, colleges and lyceums with the latest equipments.

The amount of the long-term credits in the sphere of education alone, which is considered a priority in Uzbekistan, now accounts for more than 220 million dollars.

President Islam Karimov has especially noted the “broad opportunities and prospects, which were opening up before the Korean businesses in Uzbekistan in implementing the strategically important investment and innovative projects aimed at firstly establishing the joint ventures on effectively using the rich sources of natural, mineral and hydrocarbon raw, precious and non-ferrous metals, supplies of uranium raw, in the sphere of automobile building and textile industry, information technologies and telecommunications.”

“I think there is no need to speak about the significance and prospects of establishing and developing along with the Korean Air Company of the multi-modal logistics center on the basis of the Navoi Airport, which in the nearest perspective may turn into a transcontinental transport hub for Central Asia, South Asia and Middle East,” President Islam Karimov added.

The substantial prospects are opening up in terms of creating the free industrial and economic zone in the city of Navoi on the basis of logistics center for the development of which the unprecedented benefits and preferences are expected.

“During this visit we have signed the unprecedented big package of documents, which yet more strengthens the legal basis of our relations. By now 120 documents have been signed, which are important particularly in extending the cooperation. Today over 35 documents, which will even more consolidate the legal basis of bilateral relations, are being added up to the list,” President Islam Karimov has underscored.

Also, the President of Uzbekistan has noted that “today, among other very important documents, the sides have signed the intergovernmental Agreement on visa-free travel of citizens-holders of diplomatic passports, which serves as a concrete confirmation of liberalization of our relations and substantial opportunities opening up in the cooperation between our countries.”

“It gives me a profound pleasure today to announce that by the decision of the University of World Economy and Diplomacy in Tashkent the title of an Honorary Doctorate will be conferred on the President of the Republic of Korea Mr. Lee Myung-bak,” President Islam Karimov said. “And in this I see a very important step for us in strengthening the relations between not only the businesses, higher educational institutions, but on the whole the relations between Uzbekistan and the Republic of Korea, the recognition of the role played today and secured by the outstanding leader of South Korea Mr. Lee Myung-bak.”

“I wanted to visit Uzbekistan a long ago,” President of the Republic of Korea Lee Myung-bak said in his turn, “and I am very glad that I am paying a State visit to Uzbekistan. Yesterday and today we have held talks on bilateral and regional issues. During the negotiations I have understood that our positions – the positions of Leaders of the two countries on these issues practically coincided which I am very glad about.”

According to the Korean leader, “there are much in similar in the mentality and culture between the Uzbek and Korean people. At the moment, over 180 thousand ethnic Koreans are staying in Uzbekistan. In this respect, our relations are very close.

The ethnic Korean had to move to Central Asia 70 years ago. Now they do not speak the Korean language. Yet they occupy a firm place in the Uzbek society demonstrating their potential opportunities in all spheres in Uzbekistan. I am very glad about it.”

“Before I came to Uzbekistan and during my visit I have realized that Uzbekistan indeed dynamically developed even in the conditions of the global financial and economic crisis. It demonstrates the high growth rates and stably develops given the political stability as a result of the stage-by-stage economic reforms being carried out under the leadership of President Islam Karimov.

Uzbekistan is our main partner in Central Asia. I am very glad that Uzbekistan achieved such successes. This time I have become convinced on my own of such achievements of the country. I would like to praise its development,” President Lee Myung-bak said.
According to the South Korean leader, “in the conditions of the global financial crisis the role and authority of Asia will grow. And therefore, it could be said that Asia will differ from that it used to be during the last economic crisis.”

“Early this year I have announced my new initiative – the “new Asian diplomacy”, which is aimed at strengthening cooperation and strategic partnership with Uzbekistan. President Islam Karimov has already given me his support on this issue, which I would like to applaud,” President Lee Myung-bak said.

Speaking about the Tashkent talks, President of the Republic of Korea Lee Myung-bak said that the sides “have discussed the issues of international situation around Central Asia, Islamic culture and history of Islamic world, as well as the situation in Afghanistan and Pakistan. We have held negotiations in an open atmosphere and President Mr. Islam Karimov gave his objective assessment on these issues. I agree with positions of the Uzbek Leader, who maintains a profound knowledge on them.”

Speaking about the significance of implementing the concrete projects in developing the bilateral economic cooperation, the South Korean President said that “President Islam Karimov supported the implementation of the Korean energy strategy and policy. Uzbekistan stands ready to render an active support to the South Korean companies in terms of participation in the energy and mineral resources projects, as well as diversifying the industry. We have discussed the project of turning the airport of the city of Navoi into the international logistics center and creating the free industrial-economic zone there. We have agreed to closely cooperate in the issues of Korea’s participation at these projects. In a bid to enhance the mutual understanding and friendship between our people we have also agreed to closely cooperate in the spheres of education, sport and tourism.”

The sides have reached an agreement to make the joint efforts in terms of reconstructing Afghanistan’s economy. The two leaders have also welcomed the recent taking effect of the Treaty on Establishing the Nuclear-Free Zone in Central Asia. They have agreed to consolidate cooperation on the international arena, including in the framework of the United Nations, vis-à-vis effectively reacting to the important global problems, including on non-proliferation of a nuclear arm and combating international terrorism.

Speaking about that on what the close and dynamic relations between Uzbekistan and Korea are being built upon, President Islam Karimov said: “They are being built, above all, on that there is a lot in the mentality of Koreans and their national character that is close or coincides with the mentality of the Uzbek people. These are, firstly, the enormous diligence, tolerance, and most importantly, firmness of purpose, belief in the future, kindness and hospitality. And I believe that particularly on such basis our relations are being built.”

Answering the question asked by the Korean reporter on how the Leadership of Uzbekistan assessed the outcomes of interaction of strategic partners for over the last years, President Islam Karimov said that the relations with South Korea have always been treated in Uzbekistan with a special attention, enormous hopes and vision of profound prospects. 150 documents are signed between the two countries, which create the legal basis of bilateral relations, and signing of the Declaration on strategic partnership in 2006 serves as a logical addition to the store of documents, which was created for over the past period of cooperation.

Speaking of the essence of the notion of “strategic partnership”, Islam Karimov said that it is, first of all, the relations of trust, the relations when the two countries are open for one another. How does it influence the bilateral relations? “For this, suffice it to follow the dynamics of economic, political, cultural and humanitarian relations. Today Uzbekistan is practically open in the issues of using our richest mineral resources and raw. But the most main confirmation of implementation of this document (Declaration on strategic partnership) I see firstly in the qualitatively new relations established between the Leaders of two countries,” the Uzbek Leader has underscored.

Asked about the “The natural resources and energy strategy doctrine of the Republic of Korea” declared last year by the South Korean President, as well as the prospects of further developing the bilateral investment cooperation in this direction, President Lee Myung-bak said: “During inauguration last year I have indeed announced my initiative of the “energy diplomacy”. Later after that I met with President Mr. Islam Karimov. Then he has expressed his active support towards implementation of this initiative. Mr. President has also said that Uzbekistan stood ready to actively cooperate in the sphere of energy and mineral resources. Therefore, the result is obvious. The South Korean companies have already been working in various spheres, including in the oil and gas, and other energy sectors. We also stand ready to assist to diversify Uzbekistan’s industry.”

Answering the question asked by the Korean journalist concerning the role of both countries and prospects of development of bilateral relations given the implementation of the “New Asian diplomacy” initiative, President Lee Myung-bak said as follows: “Today we observe the active process of regional cooperation in the world. Asia in the 21st century will differ from what it used to be in the past. Its authority will increase in the international system of relations. Asia, in particular, may turn into the international center in the future. Asia, including the East Asia and Central Asia may develop together. My initiative is aimed at strengthening the relations with all states, including those in Central Asia. When the global financial crisis will be over, then the role of Asia will grow in the new international order. I think that particularly the Asia may play an important role in overcoming the current economic crisis. I would like to once again underscore that my initiative is aimed at gaining a mutual benefit along with all Asian states. I am very glad that President Mr. Islam Karimov rendered me his support in implementing this initiative. Indeed, I want my initiative will allow all countries to achieve the joint prosperity in the days to come.”

In his turn, President Islam Karimov has noted that he was “sincerely glad that as the President of the Republic of Korea announced his initiative in Indonesia he had put forward very serious issues, which as if define the prospect, the strategy of our development – the development of practically not only the Asian region, but also other regions, which are linked with Asia. It is very important that the Republic of Korea as a state, which is among the ten most developed countries of the world and most important country of the Asia-Pacific Region, and in his strategy the President of his country also reserves the place for Central Asia, and Uzbekistan, in particular. The Republic of Korea has long-standing historical ties with the East, Northeast, Southeast and South Asia – this took shape for over many centuries, and yet Central Asia is for you – Mr. President – an absolutely new object or springboard. And the fact that you have paid attention to it and are including it to your strategy – this is very important for us. I would like to repeat that Central Asia is not only a new springboard, this is an absolutely beneficial and perspective springboard.”

Supporting the view of President Lee Myung-bak that practically Asia as one of the first may overcome the financial and economic crisis, President Islam Karimov has also said that “discussing this issue the sides have agreed on that after all the United States will be the first to overcome this protracted global crisis. This is the first economy in the world, the most powerful economy and the export of very many Asian countries is tied up to the United States: the export of Japan, export of China, and certainly, the export of South Korea, including the one of India. As an outcome, unless the United States won’t overcome this crisis then there won’t be the increase in demand as much as tackling this crisis which now the export of the most powerful countries of Asia suffers from.

I think that the initiative comes on time. It allows to purposefully build one’s diplomacy and as the President of Uzbekistan, located in Central Asia, and as the country, which sees substantial prospects in developing the cooperation with South Korea, I sincerely welcome this initiative.”


At the second half of the day the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Islam Karimov and President of the Republic of Korea Lee Myung-bak met with the representatives of business circles of the two countries.

Taking a floor at the meeting, President Islam Karimov said in particular that “this State visit of the President of the Republic of Korea Lee Myung-bak was a wonderful and good opportunity not only to asses, allow to once again look back and have a glance at everything what has been accomplished for over the past period in our joint cooperation, but also it has served as an enormous opportunity to pinpoint the prospects of further developing our cooperation between the Republic of Korea and Uzbekistan.

We are establishing the international multimodal logistics center, the international hub, which not only links Korea with Uzbekistan, practically with entire East Asia and Southeast Asia, will connect not only with Uzbekistan and Middle East, and if you wish, with Europe and Northern states.”

“I propose to go from the system of interaction and cooperation in the perspective towards integration of Uzbekistan’s economy with the one of South Korea. I call on you all to be participants of this process. Allow me once again to thank you for Your vision of Uzbekistan’s prospects. Allow me once again in Your presence to welcome the friend of Uzbekistan – President Lee Myung-bak as an outstanding leader of South Korea,” President Islam Karimov said.

In his reciprocal speech President Lee Myung-bak said:

“A year has already passed since my inauguration. I have met with many heads of states and I haven’t seen such a Leader who with such firmness of purpose stands up for the fate of his country. I think You will agree with me. I believe that President Islam Karimov is an outstanding political leader. I think that his foresight has made an impression on you all.

The history of humankind is built by outstanding people, who do both all possible and impossible for their country. President Islam Karimov does everything for the future of Uzbekistan and in our turn, we are interested in expanding the interaction with Your country, deepening the partnership.”

The opera of the great composer Donicetti “The love potion” with participation of Italian opera masters has been performed in its original language at the State Academic Bolshoi Theater of Uzbekistan in Tashkent, the Uzbekistan National News Agency reported.

The performance of the prominent conductor Eddy de Nadai, leading soloists Leonardo Kaimi and Monica Tarone, who perform solos at La Scala and other world theaters, has been made possible as a part of the joint project undertaken along with Embassy of Italy in Tashkent.

Speaking at the news-conference the Director of the State Academic Bolshoi Theater Bakhtiyor Yakubov has said that arrival of these and other stars of the opera and ballet art stood as very much recognition of the artistic level of the Bolshoi Theater. He also said that it became possible thanks to profound attention now paid on the part of the Uzbek Leadership to developing theatrical art in the country.

Undoubtedly, the international festival of opera art in Tashkent dedicated to the 150th anniversary of the Jacomo Puccini, who is also well known in Uzbekistan, is reported to have also promoted the contacts with Italy. For over the span of many years many masterpieces of this outstanding composer, including the Madame Butterfly, Floria Tosca and Bohema, are staged at the State Academic Bolshoi Theater in Tashkent.

“We have been astonished by seeing the reverent attitude of the Uzbek artists and musicians towards their viewer and classics,” the Italian soloists Leonardo Kaimi and Monica Tarone have said. “The theater has accumulated rich traditions of music performance of the Italian operas, including of the works of Puccini, Donicetti and Verdi – and all of them are basically performed in the original language.”

Donicetti is a brilliant representative of the belcanto theater and his “The love potion” has earned a special popularity on the world stage with its witty intrigue, joyful buffoonery and energy of action.

According to the world mass media, the epidemiological situation somewhat turns okay in some regions of the world where the outbreak of the H1N1 virus, also known as the “swine flu”, has been earlier actively observed, the report by Uzbekistan National News Agency said May 18.

Nevertheless, the complex of measures is being undertaken in Uzbekistan to prevent the introduction of infection and its spread on the nation’s territory. In particular, the veterinary services of Uzbekistan are also taking a very part in this work, the report said.

“Not a single case of this disease has been revealed in our country neither among people nor animals,” the head of division of the veterinary inspection of the Head state veterinary department at the Ministry of Agriculture and Water Economy of the Republic of Uzbekistan Abdurasul Boltaev said. “However, the causative of the H1H1 flu is a mutated virus. So far, there is not immunity to it. In this respect, the veterinary services of Uzbekistan undertake the substantial preventive measures.”

In order not to allow the introduction of various infectious diseases to the territory of the country the head state veterinary inspectors of the Republic of Karakalpakstan, provinces and city of Tashkent have reinforced the ant—epizootic control at slaughter houses, peasant’s markets, airports, railroad and motor stations. Not less important seems to be an awareness work undertaken with people, including the livestock owners.

As a result of effective work of all units of the veterinary services of Uzbekistan, at the moment the favorable epizootic state is being maintained on the territory of country not only in terms of the H1N1 virus, but also other infectious animal diseases.

On May 15 the Career Day took place at the Westminster International University in Tashkent, which became traditional for this prestigious higher educational institution, the Narodnoye slovo newspaper wrote.

The Career Day is not only an opportunity to help the university graduates to be clear about the future place of their employment, but also an excellent chance for the enterprises and organizations in the country to hire the qualified young specialists.

Therefore indeed over 60 organizations took part at the vacancies fair held as a part of the Career Day. Their proposals included attractive posts at the ministries and agencies, state-run concerns, financial institutions, consulting and audit firms, as well as the largest industrial enterprises throughout the country.

The potential employers could assess the capabilities of the Westminster University graduates as they presented their diploma works as a part of the major event. Therefore, it is not surprising that the most of attractive proposals went to the students, who made their presentations.

“I have presented the project of my diploma work on the topic of attracting the foreign investments into Uzbekistan,” the student of the Westminster University in Tashkent Dana Abu-Shakra said. “Later, I have been proposed some good offers. I think I will be okay with employment after my graduation.”

The seminar workshop and exhibition on the topic “Woman of Uzbekistan along with progress” took place in Tashkent, the report by Uzbekistan National News Agency Russian-language web-site said May 15 this year.

The Women’s Committee of Uzbekistan along with the Ministry of Justice of Uzbekistan, Academy of Arts of Uzbekistan and UN Development Program (UNDP) organized the event, according to the web-site.

The senators, lawmakers at the Legislative Chamber of Oliy Majlis of Uzbekistan, as well as the representatives of various ministries, agencies and public organizations took part at the seminar workshop.

Those who spoke at the event have said that a special attention is being in Uzbekistan to ensure the rights and interests of women, further raise their status, protect families, motherhood and childhood.

At the same time, a number of other measures are being undertaken with implementation of numerous projects on strengthening the health of mothers and children, social protection of young generation and families, according to the web-site.

Apart from that, many new medical establishments such as screening centers of mothers and child, countryside medical stations, sport and recreation establishments, health recovery facilities and polyclinics supplied with the latest equipment are being commissioned nationwide.

Uzbekistan also pays an important attention to the employment of women, and particularly, the residents of the far territories, as well as to developing entrepreneurial activity among them. The scale of such kind and noble deeds has expanded as a part of the State program of the “Year of development and improvement of countryside” approved for 2009.

The spiritual and enlightenment event on the topic “Healthy family is a buttress of the country” dedicated to the World Family Day – celebrated annually on May 15 – took place at the Alisher Navoi National Park of Uzbekistan in Tashkent, the Uzbekistan National News Agency reported.

According to the report, the City Municipality of Tashkent, the City Women’s Committee and several other public organizations at the capital city have organized the event.

The activists of the women’s committees, makhalla (the local neighborhood community area) consultants for the religious awareness and spiritual upbringing affairs, as well as the representatives of exemplary families took part at it.

At the moment, about 800 thousand families live in Tashkent. With a view of protecting their health, further increasing their legal awareness and comprehensively supporting the family-based entrepreneurship the legal consultation offices, family polyclinics, health recovery facilities, as well as sport and recreation establishment operate in the capital city, according to the report.

As a part of the event, the participants took part at various quizzes and saw exhibitions dedicated to the families of entrepreneurs. The winners have been awarded the memorable gifts.

The event has been accompanied at the end with a colorful concert show program of famous people of art and young performers, the report said.

The Days of German culture took off in Bukhara, the report by Pravda Vostoka national Russian-language newspaper said May 15 this year.

The festival of friendship includes holding of various meetings, discussions and colorful performances, according to the newspaper.

The agenda of the Days of the German culture is quite hectic – the viewers may enjoy the concert of the German academic philharmonics and the artistic exhibition. At the same time, the locals will be able to talk to German scholars and people of culture, and others.

“As a rule, we organize large events in Tashkent. This year we have decided to change the established tradition and allow the residents of other cities of Uzbekistan to learn more about the German culture,” – Ambassador of Germany to Uzbekistan Matthias Mayer said.

“We speak the most beautiful language in the world – the language of music,” the chair of the German academic philharmonics, the conductor Claus-Peter Modest said, “thanks to it we have found the common language with our Uzbek colleagues very quickly. Such mutual understanding makes us confident that our appearance in Bukhara will be successful.”

The Samarkand State Institute of Foreign Languages trains the qualified specialists on nine majors, the Narodnoye slovo newspaper reported.

At the moment, nearly 2400 young men and women attend the Institute. They study in-depth more than ten foreign languages, including English, French, Japanese, Chinese, Korean and Arabic. In particular, more than 200 students learn the Korean language at the College of Oriental Philology and Translation, according to the newspaper.

“This language is being taught since the early days of establishment of the Institute,” the Dean of the College Khamrokul Buriev said, “for over the past period the hundreds of young men and women have received diplomas on this major. The teachers from South Korea are much contributing to training the students, who learn the Korean language and literature, culture and traditions of this nation.”

KOICA, the Korean International Cooperation Agency, and the Korean Foundation render assistance in terms of providing the students at the Institute with study literature, textbooks and modern information tools, as much as increasing the qualification of teachers in the Republic of Korea.

“I have already been living in Samarkand for the second year and I teach Korean to the students,” Ru Hi-ju, the teacher of Korean, said. “I myself have learnt to speak Uzbek. Having seen how the Uzbek youth treats with respect the teachers, parents and the elderly I have felt to what extent our spiritual values are close. This is especially seen in holding various family events, holidays and wedding parties.”

The international scientific-practical conference “The urgent problems of development of electronic digital signature and electronic document circulation” took off at the Tashkent University of Information Technologies in Tashkent, the report by Uzbekistan National News Agency said.

The Information and Communication Technologies Committee of the Legislative Chamber of Oliy Majlis (the national parliament), Uzbekistan Agency for Communication and Information along with Russian Federal Agency of Information Technologies are reported to have organized the conference.

The staff members of state bodies, ministries and agencies, international organizations, domestic and foreign scientific centers and companies, commercial structures, producer firms and suppliers of information technologies are participating at the forum.

The major goal of the event is to enhance the broad introduction and application of electronic document circulation with the use of electronic digital signature, to reveal and consider the outstanding problems, as well as to learn about the latest achievements in the sphere and exchange experience.

The use of electronic document circulation in state governance increase the effectiveness and reliability of working with documents, as much as enhances the quality of management and efficiency of control over implementation of documents with significantly cutting down the expenses related to the sphere.

The Museum of Archeology of the Aral adjacent area has been established anew at the Karakalpak Department of the Academy of Sciences of Uzbekistan, according to the “Narodnoye slovo” newspaper.

The museum’s exposition consists of three blocks. The first block offers visitors to see the exhibits of the Stone Age and bronze epoch of the long past.

The tools of household and culture of the ancient Khorezm civilization are exhibited at the second block. They are the bronze tacks, toys made of burnt clay, bone hairpins and statuettes.

And, the third block offers the swords, arrowheads, knives, as well as women’s decorations related to the Kerder culture.

The specialists believe that the newly established museum will allow the residents of the area to learn more new and interesting things about the history of their native land, according to the newspaper.

UzA

President of Uzbekistan Islam Karimov and President of South Korea Lee Myung-Bak visited the city of Samarkand on 12 May.

The high guest familiarized himself with the historical monuments of the ancient city, including the Ulugbek observatory, Afsosiab museum, Registan complex and Gur-Emir mausoleum.

Lee Myung-Bak said the ancient monuments of Samarkand were a bright example of Oriental town building. The visit to the city left unforgettable impressions, he said.

During the state visit of the President of South Korea to Uzbekistan the sides signed a large number of bilateral documents, which will serve to further expansion of relations between the two countries.

The signed memorandums envisage development of infrastructure,modernization of large industrial enterprises, development of mineral resources, cooperation in transport and other fields.

UzA

President of Uzbekistan Islam Karimov and President of South Korea Lee Myung-Bak visited the Uzbek University of world economy and diplomacy in Tashkent on Monday May 11.

The South Korean leader met the professors and students of the educational institution, and familiarized himself with the study process. He gave a high evaluation to the conditions created for the students.

Here, Lee Myung-Bak was awarded with the title of the honorary doctor of the University of world economy and diplomacy.

“Jahon” Information Agency

On May 11 this year the meeting of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Islam Karimov and President of the Republic of Korea Lee Myung-bak took place at the Residence of Durmen, the reports by national news agencies have said.

The two leaders have discussed the state and prospects of the Uzbek-Korean relations. They have also exchanged views on the problems of regional and international significance of their interest.

Islam Karimov and Lee Myung-bak have noted that the relations between Uzbekistan and South Korea were developing in the spirit of Joint declaration on strategic partnership inked in 2006 between the two parties.

The presidents have expressed their confidence that this visit would take the relations of Uzbekistan and South Korea up to a qualitatively new level.

Then, according to the reports, the talks continued with participation of delegations of the two countries. At the talks a main attention was paid to the issues of trade, economic, investment and humanitarian cooperation.

With talks coming to an end, the two presidents are reported to have signed the Joint Statement of the Republic of Uzbekistan and Republic of Korea.

On May 10 this year on the invitation of President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Islam Karimov the President of the Republic of Korea Lee Myung-bak arrived in Uzbekistan on a State visit.

President Islam Karimov met the top-level guest at the Tashkent Airport, the report by Uzbekistan National News Agency has said the same day.

The major events of the State visit took place on May 11, according to the report. Islam Karimov and Lee Myung-bak are reported to have discussed the issues of expanding and deepening the cooperation between the Republic of Uzbekistan and the Republic of Korea, as well as the outstanding problems of regional and international nature of mutual interest.

On the outcomes of talks in Tashkent the sides have signed a number of bilateral documents aimed at deepening the interaction of the two states in various areas.

UzA

The traditional Uzbekistan Oil and Gas – OGU 2009 exhibition opened at Tashkent’s Uzexpocenter on 12 May.

The event has been organized by the national holding company Uzbekneftegaz, the Commerce and industry chamber and the Tashkent city administration.

More than 150 companies from almost 30 states, including Russia, China, Ukraine, UAE, Germany, New Zealand, France, Switzerland, UK, USA and others are participating in the exhibition.

Uzbekistan is one of the world’s leading producers of natural gas. The favorable investment climate and preferences attract foreign investors to the country’s oil and gas sector.

The solemn meeting dedicated to the May 9 – the Remembrance and Honors Day – took place in the city of Tashkent, the Uzbekistan National News Agency reported.

The event has been organized in cooperation of the Women’s Committee of Uzbekistan, Ministry of Defense of the Republic of Uzbekistan, Kamolot Public Youth Movement and Nuroniy Foundation, according to the report.

The lawmakers at the Legislative Chamber of Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan, veterans of war and labor, activists of makhallas (local neighborhood community areas) and women’s committees, as well as teachers and students participated at the event.

Those who spoke at it have said that under the sober leadership in the country a special attention is being paid towards showing respect to and honoring the veterans of war and labor, as much as elder generation, and bettering the social security system.

The elderly takes an active part in raising the spirituality of the people, reviving and safeguarding the national traditions and values, upbringing and harmonic development of youth.

“We are glad that in Uzbekistan the elderly are shown respect and being honored,” Ghafur Shamsiev, the veteran of labor, has said, “they receive material and moral support, as well as social and medical aid.”

The event has been accompanied with a wonderful concert show of masters of arts and young performers, according to the report. 

On May 7 this year the delegation led by the president of the World Water Forum Louis Fashon held talks at the Ministry of Agriculture and Water Economy of the Republic of Uzbekistan, according to the report by the “Narodnoye slovo” newspaper.

At the moment, the newspaper wrote, the water shortage has turned into an acute problem for many countries. Bettering the system of management of water resources and effective use allow to ensure the stable development of agriculture and provide for food safety, strengthen the human health, protect environment and preserve ecological balance.

At the Tashkent talks the sides are reported to have exchanged views on the current state and prospects of the mutually beneficial cooperation between Uzbekistan and World Water Forum in the sphere of agriculture and water economy, as much as introducing technologies that would provide for effective use of water resources and water saving, enhancing the exchange of experience on the international level and deepening the relations.

“Uzbekistan Today”

Water use is one of the most vital concerns for all the countries in Central Asia region. We discuss construction of large hydropower project on transboundary rivers Central Asia with Victor Dukhovny, the renowned scientist, Director of Scientific Information Center of the Interstate Commission for Water Coordination (SIC ICWC), Honorary Vice President of the International Commission on Irrigation and Drainage, board member of the World Water Council and in the International Water Resources Association.

 - We all know that one of the key principles of Uzbekistan’s position on water problems in Central Asia is a proposal to conduct international objective ecological and water assessment under the aegis of the United Nations. The assessment should be done prior to construction of any large-scale hydro power projects on the transboundary rivers of the region, such as Kambarata Hydropower Plants in Kyrgyzstan and Rogun Hydropower Plant in Tajikistan. What is your opinion on these issues?

- Obligatory assessment and project coordination are outlined in a number of intergovernmental documents of global significance, such as Convention on Trans-Border Cooperation (the only one, by the way, signed by Kyrgyzstan), European Water Convention of 1992, the UN Convention on the Non-Navigational Uses of International Watercourses of 1997 (signed by Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan), and many other documents of international law. All these documents clearly state that any work on the transboundary rivers has to be coordinated with the parties of interest.

The necessity of the assessment is conditioned by many examples. Conclusion of the State Committee on Toktogul Hydro Power Plant commissioning, for instance. The conclusion reads that “the main goal of Toktogul Hydro Power project complex is to construct reservoir that would compensate and regulate Naryn River flow and provide sustainable water supply for irrigation, public, domestic and industrial purposes for multiyear period. Hydroelectric power production by Toktogul Hydro Power project is a secondary facility”. If we compare this statement with current operation of Naryn cascade, we can see that this conclusion was completely ignored.

First of all, multiyear water regulation on Toktogul project is no more provided. Priority is placed on power generation, not irrigated agriculture. The summer regime of water storage, which serves the interests of energy supply, is replaced with the winter regime of water releases. Thus in the end the provisions on cascades management, that have been adopted earlier, today have no effect in terms of relevance of last assessment.

Besides, today we have a number of new points emerged. Thus Russian seismologists recently announced that Kambarata Hydropower Plant is located close to seismic fault zone. Once this kind of information became known, it has to be thoroughly verified. But I believe that first of all, the assessment should determine the ways these complexes should operate.

Basically, Uzbekistan  as well as Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan would not object the construction of such hydro power complexes in case they served the interests of the whole region.

So why the government of Uzbekistan,  Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan are so suspicious about future hydro power projects in two neighboring republics located upstream the transboundary rivers? Because new hydro power projects will allow these republics to manipulate water supply in order not to serve common interests, but to demonstrate their privileges and neighbors’ dependence on them.

I have another example of so called “pressure”. We have implemented SCADA system of automated control. The system provides constant data of what is happening on the major hydro power complexes of the region. Let take such example. Naryn River enters the basin territory below Uch-Kurgan Hydro Power Plant. In summer every evening Uch-Kurgan Hydro Power Plant is closed. As a result after 6pm the river bed is drained, and it remains empty until 6am. This means that all the channels that from Uch-Kurgan Hydro Power complex have lowered water level which rises by the morning. And irrigators wait for the whole night for water, and water doesn’t flow. This is exactly what we are against and what we call “energy selfishness”.

International laws regulating transboundary rivers use provide for shared obligation of all the region’s countries to cooperate in order to “achieve optimum use and proper protection of international water stream”.

- Some experts, including foreign ones, believe that under current conditions of growing deficit of water resources, the energy problems should be solved through construction of more expedient smaller hydro power plants. These plants require less investment and are more cost-effective and ecology friendly compared to large-scale hydro power plants, which require construction of huge reservoirs. What do you think?

- We agree with these proposals. In fact we try to develop project on construction of smaller hydro power plants on Zeravshan river instead of construction of huge Yavan hydro power plant with reservoir of unclear parameters in Tajikistan.

We are told that this reservoir will regulate only 50 mln cu.m. of water. However our estimates show that it will contain 500 mln cu.m. of water. At the same time smaller hydro power plants can deliver the same energy effect. By the way, Tajikistan particularly has a good example of such small hydro power plants. Those are Baipaza HPP, Sangtuda HPP 1 and Sangtuda HPP 2. We estimate that there can be 15-16 small hydro power plants built on Zeravshan river as a small hydro power plant cascade or in derivation channel.

- We know that SIC ICWC is the main organization that can give valid answers about water use in the countries of the region. Some so-called experts say that construction of new dams will not affect the water flow of the main rivers of the region, and that their water discharge is caused only by “excessive consumption” for agricultural needs of Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan. Could you please comment this statement?

- The above mentioned facts refute any allegations that hydro power projects will not affect the water flow. All the current water regimes on the Vakhsh and Naryn rivers are defined precisely by large water reservoirs and hydro power plants.

The information of the Interstate Commission for Water Coordination shows that all the countries of the region are committed to reduction of overall and specific water consumption. While in 1980 total water consumption of South Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan was 104,878 bln cu.m., in 2007 it was 91,369 bln cu.m.

Preserving water is one of the aspects of integrated management of water resources. In Fergana Valley, for example, on the territory of 100 thousand ha we introduced the integrated system of water resources management with involvement of water consumers themselves. When we just started in 2003, South Fergana Canal withdrew 1 bln cu.m. of water. Year by year we were reducing this figure. In 2007 we already reached 640 mln cu.m, in other words we reduced water withdrawal by 30% without significant investment and only through involving water consumers in hydrographic management and accurate record of water consumption. Meanwhile water productivity, i.e. agricultural crop output per unit of water input, is not decreasing, but increasing. And our results achieved are the same as the ones on Aravan-Akburinsk Canal in Kyrgyzstan and Khodja-Bakergan Canal in Tajikistan.

- Since 1997, the Toktogul Reservoir, which initially was built for irrigation purposes, started to operate in power generating regime. And lower-stream countries, especially Uzbekistan, suffer from winter water releases. How can you comment this situation?

- First of all, the reservoirs were supposed to serve as the systems of multi year regulating. However now these reservoirs are turned into the instrument of seasonal dictation and pressure over others.

In 2008 natural water inflow to Toktogul was at 75%, while cascade operated in 60-65% regime. And at the same time Kyrgyz irrigators were receiving the same 60% as Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan. Thus one sector is suppresses another one within one country.

The dams and reservoirs could be of benefit if they were operating in the same regimes as it was outlined by project provisions. But at the moment we have quite opposite situation.

Toktogul cascade operates the way Kyrgyzenergo wishes. First of all Kyrgyzenergo changed the regime. 8 bln cu.m. is released in winter and only 5-6 bln cu.m. in summer season. Before it was another way around: 8 bln cu.m. in summer and maximum 3-4 bln cu.m. of water in winter. Total was 12 bln cu.m.

From this point of view we propose to change settlement procedures. It is not about the fact that they collect water in summer and release it in winter. They do release water in summer. But if before the lowland countries used to receive 8 bln cu.m. of water, now we receive 5-6 bln cu.m, Kyrgyzstan needs to produce about 4 bln kilowatt-hours of power in summer season in order to meet the domestic demand. And for this purpose it needs release of 3.5 bln cu.m. of water in summer.

For the last five years, excluding 2007, Toktogul was receiving more and more from nature, but still its output was greater than input. But it could save more and release less water. Water releases were increased for commercial interests and power supply. In terms of common interests, water should have been collected and stored against a rainy day. But business people place their own interests above long term benefits. Water should not be a matter of trade. Water is a social and ecological good.

On May 10-12 this year on the invitation of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Islam Karimov the President of the Republic of Korea Lee Myung-bak will pay a State visit to Uzbekistan, the report by Uzbekistan National News Agency said.

During the visit the sides will discuss the issues of expanding and deepening the cooperation between the Republic of Uzbekistan and the Republic of Korea, the outstanding issues of regional and international nature of mutual interest, according to the report.

On the outcomes of talks in Tashkent, the sides are expected to sign bilateral documents aimed at deepening the interaction of the two states in various areas.

On May 4-5 this year the Sixth meeting of the Uzbek-Egyptian intergovernmental commission on trade, economic, scientific and technical cooperation was held in the city of Cairo, the press-release by the Uzbek Foreign Ministry’s Press Service said.

The Deputy Prime Minister of the Republic of Uzbekistan Rustam Kasymov has led the Uzbek delegation and the Minister of International Cooperation of the Arab Republic of Egypt Fayza Aboul Naga - the Egyptian delegation.

During the talks the sides discussed the state and prospects of the Uzbek-Egyptian relations on trade, economic, scientific and technical spheres. The sides have also emphasized the need to further increase the bilateral trade and extend the investment cooperation between the two countries. The participants of the meeting paid an attention to extending the cooperation between the two countries in the sphere of agriculture and water resources, as well as tourism.

The negotiations have resulted in signing of five documents:

- Agreement on the friendship and cooperation between the city administration of the capital of Uzbekistan – city of Tashkent and the city administration of the capital of Egypt - city of Cairo.

- Memorandum of Understanding on the cooperation in the sphere of water resources between the Ministry of Agriculture and Water Economy of Uzbekistan and the Ministry of Irrigation and Water Resources of Egypt.

- Memorandum of Understanding on the cooperation in the sphere of record-keeping (archives) between the Agency of “Uzarhiv” at the Cabinet of Ministers of Uzbekistan and the Head Department of National Library and Archives of Egypt.

- Memorandum of Understanding between the Alisher Navoi Samarkand State University and the Suez Canal University of Egypt.

- the Protocol of the Sixth meeting of intergovernmental commission on trade, economic, scientific and technical cooperation between the Republic of Uzbekistan and the Arab Republic of Egypt.

The place and date of holding of the next meeting of the Uzbek-Egyptian intergovernmental commission on trade, economic, scientific and technical cooperation will be agreed through the diplomatic channels, according to the press-release.

IA Jahon

On April 28, 2009 the city of Almaty hosted the meeting of Heads of states-founders of the International Fund for Saving Aral (IFSA). The meeting saw the discussion of a broad spectrum of issues related to worsening ecological situation in the Aral Sea adjacent area and entire region, as well as adopting radical measures in terms of averting the possible negative consequences of drying up of the Aral Sea.

President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Islam Karimov participated at the meeting.

In his address at the delegation-level meeting of the Heads of states-founders of the IFSA the President of Uzbekistan Islam Karimov noted that “the problem of the Aral Sea traces back long into the past. But the threatening scales it has acquired in the 60s of the 20th century. The rise in a number of population and the increasing growth of demand for water, intensive development of new lands, further development of irrigated land farming and systematically continuing water-short years have created the conditions for one of the largest global ecological catastrophes in the latest history – the drying up of once one of the most beautiful basins on our planet.”

President of Uzbekistan drew attention of participants of the meeting on the fact that “for over the past fifty years the water area of the Aral Sea has shrunk for more than four time, the volume of water has decreased ten fold as much as increased its mineralization.”

“We are all witnessing that the region of the Aral Sea adjacent area is being inexorably occupied by the desert that had emerged there. The permanent ecological risk zone, which negatively affects the quality of life, health and gene pool of the locally residing population, encompasses not only the regions located around drying up sea – the Kyzyl-Orda region of Kazakhstan, Dashkhovuz region of Turkmenistan and the Republic of Karakalpakstan, Khorezm, Navoi and Bukhara regions of Uzbekistan – but also the entire region of Central Asia,” President of Uzbekistan Islam Karimov has underscored.

According to President Islam Karimov, “the deficit of water resources, decrease of quality of drinking water, degradation of soils, rapid reduction of biological diversity, the climatic changes as a result of growth of haziness of atmosphere, perhaps, related to it the shrinking of area of glaciers on the Pamir and Tian-Shan, where the substantial part of watercourse of the region’s main rivers is formed, - these are just a short list of results of perishing of Aral.”

“Today is quite obvious that the difficult complex of ecological, climatic, social, economic and demographic problems came about in the Aral Sea adjacent area, which are of a global, I would say, planetary scale.

In the unfolding situation, which according to the experts bears far-reaching threatening planetary consequences, it is becoming more and more obvious the very fact that without joint efforts coordinated with the world community it is impossible to resolve this problem,” President Islam Karimov has underscored.

The Uzbek Leader has said that “at the moment, given the active support and participation of the World Bank, Asian Development Bank, Global Ecological Fund, various international organizations and particular states of the world a whole number of projects is being implemented aimed at recovering the unfavorable state of affairs in the region, which threatens the gene pool of the locally residing population.

The fact that the International Fund for Saving Aral was granted the observer status at the United Nations General Assembly in 2008 opens up new opportunities for its activity at the global level.”

President of Uzbekistan Islam Karimov has focused attention on the fact that holding on the initiative of Uzbekistan of the international conference on Aral in March 2008 in the city of Tashkent rendered a substantial impetus for this acute problem to be broadly considered on the international format. The fact that the representatives of over 90 international organizations, the largest state financial institutions of Japan, Germany, China, Arab countries and leading research centers participated at the conference serves as a testimony to the aforesaid.

On the outcomes of forum the Tashkent Declaration and Action plan have been adopted, which envisage the implementation of projects worth in total about 1,5 billion dollars to mitigate the tough consequences of the Aral catastrophe.

“In our view, the Action plan, which was approved by international institutes and donor countries, can be efficiently used by our experts in elaborating the third phase of the Action plan, set for 2011-2015, to render assistance to the region of the Aral Sea basin in the framework of IFSA.

In Uzbekistan we unambiguously realize that it is hardly possible in practice to save the Aral Sea in the fullest sense of this word, but we are simply obliged to accomplish the comprehensively thought-out Action plan to create the locally residing population normal conditions necessary for a healthy way of life. This is our duty,” Islam Karimov has underscored.

According to President of Uzbekistan, the Leadership of the country considers its most important task to overcome the consequences of drying up of Aral and ecological recovery of the Aral Sea basin, firstly, in terms of implementation of the following measures:

- establishment of the local basins at the already dried up Aral seabed, filling of delta basins with water to reduce the sand and salt storms, recovery of biodiversity and delta ecosystem;

- tree planting at the dewatered Aral seabed, fixation of the mobile sands, reducing the removal of poisonous aerosols out from the drained seabed;

- supply of drinking water and provision of communal and medical facilities with water disinfesting tools, re-equipment of water intake facilities with chlorination installations and many others.

- continuous study of the impact of the growing ecological crisis in the Aral Sea adjacent area on the state of health and gene pool of population, prevention and prophylaxis of a broad spread of various dangerous human diseases specific for this region, deployment of a specialized network of prophylactic and medical facilities for the locally residing population and accomplishment of the program of measures on accelerated development of the social infrastructure.”

As President Islam Karimov has underscored, “the funds worth in the dollar calculus that equal over 1 billion dollars were spent for over the past ten years alone for implementation of the said projects and programs, including at the expense of foreign lending, technical aid and grants – about 265 million dollars.”

“Speaking of the Aral tragedy and measures in terms of its overcoming, certainly, we all realize that the resolution of this task is most directly linked to the problems of rational and reasonable use of the water and energy resources, the most careful approach towards preserving the already fragile ecological and water balance in the region.

I think that given the unfolding current very serious and ever more worsening ecological situation in the Aral Sea adjacent area and entire region, obviously, there is no need to prove or persuade someone in terms of adopting the most radical measures to prevent the possible negative consequences of drying up of Aral,” President of Uzbekistan Islam Karimov concluded. 

IA Jahon

The book by President Islam Karimov “The global financial-economic crisis, ways and measures to overcome it in the conditions of Uzbekistan” keeps producing a keen interest in the representatives of social, political, scientific, expert and analytical circles of foreign countries.

Here are the comments by two experts, who gave their view on the work by the Uzbek Leader and assessed the prospects for Uzbekistan in terms of bravely overcoming the crisis and mitigating its consequences on the national economy.

Lino Loffredo, General-Director of the Department for International Trade Policy at the Ministry of Economic Development of Italy:

“Given my professional activity for over the span of several years I have been studying the economic situation in Uzbekistan. And, in this regard, I would like to note sustainable tendency of growth of Uzbekistan’s economy and positive changes in the social sphere.

It should be noted that the measures undertaken by the Government of the Republic of Uzbekistan in counteracting the financial crisis, and particularly, the resolute interference at the state level, will allow to protect not only the national interests, but also provide for the growth of the Uzbek economy, including on the international level, as well.

As an economist I can speak with confidence that the leverages proposed by President of Uzbekistan will maintain the balanced nature of the national economy in the unfolding difficult situation in the world, as well as will serve for creating the preconditions for a new economic course. And this, in its turn, will allow to take the Uzbek-Italian cooperation up to a new level by way of rendering the broad opportunities for establishing the direct relations between the businesses of the two countries.”

Emilio Bonifacci, Mayor of Italian town of Grosseto (Region of Toscana):

“The book by President of Uzbekistan gives a precise and clear picture of the economic situation in Uzbekistan, substantial responsibilities that lay before the Government that attempts to find the ways of further social and economic development of the nation at a time, when the global economic hardships have fallen on the countries of the world without exception.

President Islam Karimov proposes the interesting initiatives, which Uzbekistan is going to implement in the soonest time so that be able to influence on the consequences of the crisis. The conclusions and proposals of President of Uzbekistan may give stimulus for other countries in other regions, as well.

As I studied the work by President Islam Karimov I was astonished to what extent thoroughly the problems related to the global financial crisis have been analyzed in it. In particular, I mean the search of ways how to mitigate the consequences of the global financial crisis, which may seriously influence the economy of Uzbekistan.

It is of a substantial interest and it was well scrutinized in the President’s book the role of state economic regulation – the topic, which has now just been included to the agenda by the world governments.

Support of credits, effective state policy and assistance for entrepreneurship testifies about the rightness of the chosen direction in terms of minimizing the financial and economic crisis in the conditions of Uzbekistan.”