October 14, 2014
X International Uzbek Cotton and Textile Fair.. 4
X International Uzbek Cotton and Textile Fair has started in Tashkent4
The Uzbek delegation headed by the Minister of Foreign Affairs is visiting Germany. 5
Single state portal launches entrepreneur’s personal cabinet5
POLICY
Speech by President Islam Karimov at the Session of Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) Council of the Heads of State
Distinguished Chairman!
Dear Heads of State!
It gives me a great satisfaction to greet the heads of CIS nations and extend my sincere gratefulness to President of the Republic of Belarus Alexander Grigorievich Lukashenko for a warm reception and hospitality.
Our meeting, as it has been noted here, is taking place amid a speedily changing international situation, a mounting geopolitical tension and political confrontation, an ongoing global financial and economic crisis with no clear signs as to when it is going to end or ease, a radicalizing and galvanizing religious fanaticism, an intensifying contention in our immediate environment and beyond.
To be sure, we cannot stand unalarmed by the scales of the crawling violence, the real threats of terrorism, extremism, drug trafficking, by the aggressive appeals of some politicians and state-mongers who have lost control of themselves, especially speaking on television channels, who suddenly caught themselves feeling as masters of the situation, exacerbating the situation and bringing the antagonism emerging in certain countries to a bloody massacre.
It is not hard to imagine what tragic consequences the underestimation of the unfolding distressing circumstances can lead to.
A case in mind is the fratricidal war in Afghanistan underway for about 35 years and which has produced millions of human victims and another millions of refugees as well as a complete destruction of the national economy and devastation. A new generation has grown up that is capable today of nothing but holding and using arms. Although it was initially known on the examples from Afghanistan’s history that that country is hard to conquer. We have as though let through all these cases and thus are convinced that the Afghan crisis does not have a military solution.
As Afghanistan’s close neighbors, we are absolutely confident today that only a soonest completion of processes in the formation of the new Afghan government, which would represent the principal contending ethnic-religious political forces, can lay a road to a diminishing level of instability, to a liquidation of poverty, can restore the destroyed economy and secure peace and calmness in the country.
As far as the resolution of the Ukrainian crisis is concerned, we are convinced that only a denunciation of the application of forceful methods as a way to address all the emerging issues, only the use of political means built on the fundamental norms of international law and the UN Charter, only an unconditional adherence by the sides – not in words, but in deeds – to the Minsk Accords on ceasefire and truce can shape an environment essential for negotiations to reach peace in Ukraine.
Unfortunately, serious political issues that were envisaged and which cannot be managed without have simply not been embarked on in the negotiating processes.
There is another issue that is directly related to the current meeting of CIS heads of state. Literally two days ago, the hot news of the hour was the information that the President of Ukraine P.Poroshenko would attend our session. However, yesterday evening it became clear that Mr. Poroshenko would not come to the meeting and that his plans underwent modification. In our view, such a decision is hard to agree with. It has been already a year since the problem of confrontation in Ukraine turned into one of the most pressing and urgent issues of the contemporary times that is discussed around the world, including the post-Soviet space. By the way, by means of television, people even in the remotest of our districts and kishlaks are pretty informed about the developments in Ukraine. In circumstances as such, there are no indifferent people, and practically all are enough knowledgeable of what has happened and what triggered everything. Everyone has been eager to know when and how this absolutely unnatural confrontation between the conflicting parties will end, a clash that should cease as soon as possible.
Let us ask ourselves a question as to which one of us, the leaders of CIS nations, has met with Mr. Poroshenko in person. The answer is: a mere handful of us have. For the past period he has been to many countries of Europe, especially in Brussels, and other nations.
Nonetheless, one could have made use of today’s opportunity to attend and take part in the session of the CIS summit meeting. By the way, Ukraine is still a member of the Commonwealth. Emerging impression is that Mr. Poroshenko’s stance has evidently been dividing into two and that he is still unable to decide whether quitting the CIS is to his good or bad. Crucially, had he spoken here today, we would have been offered a greater clarity with regard to the resolution of the Ukrainian crisis. Yet, unfortunate as it is, that is not the case.
Dear friends!
Alexander Grigorievich Lukashenko, presiding over our meeting, underscored in conclusion to his speech that it is time to openly discuss the prospects of the CIS.
For us, the importance of the Commonwealth is obvious, so is our factual interestedness in building up the mutually advantageous, multifaceted cooperation with all our partners, with an eye to one another’s interests.
In the Commonwealth we see an institution providing extensive opportunities for maintaining direct international dialogue, for discussing urgent issues, resolving the differences and disputes among member countries with an account of the created and sufficiently robust acting normative base, garnered instruments and mechanisms of interaction.
The CIS serves as a platform for the elaboration of mutually suitable approaches, coordinated practical measures to assist with the sustainable development of our countries, to actively use the available potential in the sphere of trade and economic cooperation, to timely preempt, counter and neutralize the terrorist and extremist activities and, what is imperative, to stimulate communication among citizens in the post-Soviet area. Today, there are few countries in this part of the world that can imagine of generally existing further on without communication on the basis of the agreement base instituted in the CIS. In these circumstances, even in Georgia there are beliefs that they made a grave mistake in that particular time.
Securing sustainable development in the CIS space is contingent first and foremost on us – the states of the Commonwealth. What I mean is the willingness to find common language with our neighbors and those further, to pursue well-thought-out socio-economic policies with effectiveness, provide for worthwhile living standards for the population, and consolidate our societies around creative and constructive objectives and purposes.
Achievement of these target goals, creation of ultimately favorable conditions for the enhancement of mutual trade and investments among our countries will by and large be facilitated by the formation and the soonest launch of a full-fledged free trade zone in the CIS area built on principles that do not distress the trade regime existing among the nations. Earlier today, I have listened with great satisfaction to the proposal by Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin that it is already time to launch this regime as the most appealing model to cement our relations.
This is an only economic model capable of making our peoples closer and tackling once and forever those issues that we – down the drain – fail to attach significance to and which are subject to rather serious haggling.
I would like to take this opportunity to declare once again that we do not see any impediments for the activity of the CIS, taking the simultaneous formation of other integration associations in the post-Soviet space into account. In particular, what I mean is the Eurasian Economic Union. Here we encounter no problem that would be subject to discussion.
At the same time, we deem it important that each of these interstate associations, particularly the CIS as the basic entity, on whose basis the Eurasian Economic Union is being built on (by the way, it would be of good use to think over what foundation this union is being built on) build its work independently, have an agenda of its own, a concept and a long-term development program, by not substituting and repeating each other. If these conditions are not met, it will be hard to bank on a coordinated activity of these associations.
In this sense, the current discussion of issues related to the CIS is suggestive once again of our judicious consideration of them. Sitting in this very hall, I stressed it in the past, as well, that I deem it as only a PR and not anything else by believing that these processes would keep on, by coming here and traveling to other countries for stock sessions of CIS summits. Thus I join my colleagues who believe these issues, especially the prospects of the CIS, need to be thought over seriously.
Thank you for attention.
President of Uzbekistan Islam Karimov signed a decree “On measures on further strengthening of social support of veterans of the war and labour front in 1941-1949”
President Islam Karimov signed a decree “On measures on further strengthening of social support of veterans of the war and labour front in 1941-1949” on 13 October 2014.
The document said that veterans of the war and labour front of the World War II will be able to undergo medical rehabilitation at sanatoriums of Ministry of Labour and Social Welfare of Population, Council of Federation of Trade Unions, as well as other state bodies and economic entities from 2015.
The resolution added that the prices of tickets for veterans will be financed due to resources of the State Budget of Uzbekistan.
Uzbek leader entrusted the Cabinet of Minister, Council of Federation of Trade Unions, and Nuroniy Foundation to determine list of sanatoriums, where veterans will undergo medical treatment. They should also create all conditions for veterans.
(Source: UzDaily.com)
X International Uzbek Cotton and Textile Fair
X International Uzbek Cotton and Textile Fair has started in Tashkent
The regular 10th anniversary of International Uzbek Cotton and Textile Fair began its work in Tashkent. This year, more than 1,000 representatives of cotton and textile industry companies and enterprises from more than 40 countries around the world confirmed their participation at the exhibition.
Our country, as one of the most important participants in the international cotton market, within two days of two plenary sessions will provide an opportunity for the representatives of the cotton industry, textile companies and trading partners not only to meet at the “round table” and discuss forecasts and trends of the world cotton market, created in our country favorable conditions for attracting foreign investments into the development of the textile industry of Uzbekistan, but also to participate in the fair and exchange trades, to sign direct trade contracts for the supply of cotton fiber and textile products.
The speakers of the International Conference which took place under the first day of the trade fair were, Richard Butler – Managing Director of the International Agency «Cotton Outlook», A. Gitchuns – Managing Director of the International Cotton Advisory Committee, I. Ergashev – Deputy Minister of Foreign Economic Relations, Investments and Trade of the Republic Uzbekistan, M. Ayub the President of the Association of cotton Bangladesh and others who presented reports on such topics as: “Reforming the cotton sector in Uzbekistan”, “Uzbek cotton: production, consumption and competitive advantage”, “Prospects for the development of cooperation Bangladesh and Uzbekistan textile Industry “,”The conditions for doing business and investment opportunities in the textile industry of Uzbekistan” and others.
The event highlighted the great scientific work, that continuously conducted by leading experts of Uzbekistan aimed at breeding of new varieties of cotton with high quality features. In particular, the Uzbek scientists have developed a technology that allows the identification of genes which are responsible for flowering and elongation of cotton fiber. On the basis of this technology created perspective variety of cotton “Porlock”.
In Uzbekistan yield of cotton makes more than 3 million tons every year. Last year the harvest exceeded 3 million and 360 thousand tons. Achieving indicated volumes is expected this year also. One of priority directions of the sector is the technological modernization of the cotton industry, the cotton harvest on the basis of the most advanced solutions. This year’s harvest involved more than 1200 cotton pickers. Today Uzbekistan possess a modern full-cycle production of cotton pickers and technology which helps to ensure effective job of planting, cultivation, spraying, embossing and the collection of cotton. The country has 21 specialized cotton terminals, including 4 free warehouses, the total one-time storage which makes 410 thousand tons of cotton fiber.
In addition, it was noted that within the framework of a joint project with the Chinese partners at ginneries of the republic implemented a new packaging system with the use of cotton fiber and polyethylene soft containers.
Moreover, the feature of the export policy of Uzbekistan is equal treatment for all potential buyers, the absence of any restrictions on volume, contracting and delivery terms. In order to reduce the price risk is also used a flexible system of price fixing. Currently, the main consumer of Uzbek cotton are China, Bangladesh, Turkey, Russia, Singapore, South Korea and some other countries of South-East and South Asia. While Uzbekistan is open to dialogue with other foreign partners.
This fair is first of all a unique international platform for direct dialogue between producers and consumers of high quality that demanded by the Uzbek cotton. Foreign partners clearly demonstrated the entire chain, from basic research in leading scientific institutions, sowing of cotton and work in the fields with the use of advanced technologies to create a modern cotton processing industries, certification centers, quality control and logistics.
Recall that the Republic of Uzbekistan in terms of production of cotton fiber is in the 6th place in the world and 5th place on its exports, and at the same time is one of the leading players in the global cotton industry.
(Source: UzReport.uz)
International cooperation
The Uzbek delegation headed by the Minister of Foreign Affairs is visiting Germany
On October 14-15, 2014 the delegation of the Republic of Uzbekistan, headed by foreign minister Abdulaziz Kamilov is paying a visit to the Federal Republic of Germany.
Meetings and negotiations with Frank-Walter Steinmeier, the Federal Minister of Foreign Affairs and other officials of Germany will be held in the framework of regular bilateral political consultations. The parties will discuss the current state and prospects of cooperation and important international and regional issues.
(Source: UzReport.uz)
BUSINESS CLIMATE
Single state portal launches entrepreneur’s personal cabinet
From 1 October 2014, the Single state interactive services portal launched “Entrepreneur’s personal cabinet”, which will provide better user experience on the Single portal for entrepreneurs.
A direct access to all informative and interactive services on the Single Portal, including submission of applications for passing licensing procedures, obtaining certificates, interactive formalizing and presenting financial, tax and statistical reports are available for entrepreneurs via the personal cabinet.
The cabinet is intended for being a single access point to all informative and interactive services of public bodies, including submission of all types of reports, paying taxes, government fees and other obligatory payments.
Service has been launched to provide greater support to entrepreneurs and is pursuant to the Resolution of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan from 15 April 2014 “On measures to further improve procedures related to business activities and the provision of public services”.
(Source: UzDaily.uz)
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