From: Justin Burke (JBurke@sorosny.org)
Date: Fri Oct 13 2000 - 10:59:46 EDT
New Eurasian Community won' affect other CIS mini-union, Uzbek head says
Excerpts from report by Uzbek TV on 12th October
[Correspondent, following a report on Ukrainian President Leonid Kuchma's
visit to Uzbekistan and one-to-one and expanded talks] Uzbek President
Islam Karimov and Ukrainian President Leonid Kuchma gave a news conference
for representatives of the mass media there [at the Dormon residence in the
outskirts of Tashkent]. First of all, the presidents spoke about the issues
discussed during the one-to-one talks, the results of the expanded talks of
the members of the two countries' official delegations held within the
visit and also on the importance of the documents signed.
[Uzbek President Islam Karimov, video shows him addressing the news
conference] During my meeting with Leonid Danilovich [Kuchma], as well as
during the talks with the official delegations of the two countries, we
focused on those reserves which are not yet fully being used in our
relations. We have reached understanding on further broadening and
deepening mutually advantageous cooperation in the investment, scientific
and technical, and humanitarian spheres. We discussed issues of stepping up
the use of the two countries' transport communications, the transportation
of European countries' freight through Ukraine and back. We reached
agreements on further perfecting the mechanism of mutual payments,
broadening the legal basis for the establishment of direct cooperation
between economic subjects, the mutual development of transport
communications, the liberalization of services in this sphere and also on
many other most important issues.
We discussed the issue of strengthening regional security. In particular, we
stated our opinion on the complicated situation in Afghanistan. Uzbekistan
and Ukraine advocate preventing the spread of religious extremism,
international terrorism and militant separatism. I am sure that the
friendly relations, which have big traditions, between Uzbekistan and
Ukraine, following the official visit by the government delegation of
Ukraine led by President Leonid Danilovich Kuchma to Tashkent, will give a
new powerful boost to the further development, on the basis of trust and
mutual interests, of the spirit of geniune partnership and
goodneighbourliness.
[passage omitted: Kuchma's speech at the news conference - covered, see
Ukrainian head backs Uzbek actions against "terrorism"]
[Correspondent] The presidents also answered journalists' questions after
this. As is known, Uzbekistan and Ukraine are active members of GUUAM
[composed of Georgia, Ukraine, Uzbekistan, Azerbaijan and Moldova]. The
memorandum signed in New York within the framework of GUUAM is the most
important joint document of the organization. Our president, Islam Karimov,
replied to a question connected with the activity of the organization as a
whole as follows:
[Karimov] Above all, it [TRACECA, Europe-Caucasus-Asia transport corridor]
is a main communication artery for Uzbekistan which links Uzbekistan which
unfortunately has no access to seas and ports. It is of very extreme
importance for us if this communication corridor is to work effectively.
The five states [Russia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan]
signed a document on the transformation or setting up of the so-called
Eurasian Economic Community on the basis of the Customs Union. Will GUUAM
be transformed as a reaction to the formation of the community? I think, it
is my own opinion, that the setting up of this Eurasian Economic Community
will by no means affect the direction and content of the activity of GUUAM.
I am stating my own opinion. I think Leonid Danilovich will also support
this.
As far as the issue of giving a more specific nature to the activity of
GUUAM is concerned, it is the second half of your question, I think, yes.
This issue is urgent. I hope, think that the issue is on the agenda of the
summit meeting of the GUUAM member countries scheduled for the first
quarter of next year in Kiev, Ukraine. Really, it is neccessary to set up
certain structures which will be at least engaged in making concrete those
documents and decisions adopted, their implementation, the monitoring of
their implementation and at least that technical work which is neccessary
for any international formation, to say nothing of the determination of the
strategy, preparation of those documents which should be drawn up for the
summit meeting of the GUUAM member countries.
[passage to end omitted: other issues discussed at the talks were also
touched upon; first day of visit ended]
Source: Uzbek Television first channel, Tashkent, in Uzbek 1850 gmt 12 Oct
00
BBC Mon CAU 131000
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