Uzbekistan: Tashkent Expresses Interest in EU Energy Cooperation

The European Union and Uzbekistan will explore energy cooperation possibilities, according to a November 2 statement issued by the Uzbek state-run entity Uzbekneftegaz.

"The EU is ready to develop cooperation on mutually beneficial terms, particularly in the fields of modernization of gas transportation networks, enhanced transparency, transportation and security of energy supply, [and] innovation and development of existing energy infrastructure," the Uzbekneftegaz statement said.

The EU lifted an arms embargo against Uzbekistan in late October, a move that was widely criticized by human rights groups. [For background see the Eurasia Insight archive].