Elizabeth Jones believes in relationships development between Washington and Tashkent

The relationships between Washington and Tashkent can be improved on condition that Uzbekistan will start the reforms implementation. Elizabeth Jones, US assistant secretary for European and Eurasian affairs, has expressed this opinion at a press conference in Almaty on July 16, during her visit to Central Asian countries, KZ-today informs.

Within her visit she carried out the negotiations with the state authorities of Uzbekistan and discussed the issues related to the democratic reforms.

Due to E. Jones words, U.S. refused to provide the country with financial and technical assistance because of nonobservance of a framework agreement signed in 2002, there was mentioned that Azerbaijan has to develop civil society and establish human rights system. While discussing the situation in Uzbekistan the U.S. Congress could not prove that the country observe its obligations, E. Jones explained. In particular, small and medium-sized business is not developing, the export is not supported, and economic stagnation is obvious in the country. At the same time she noted that there are some positive steps forward human rights protection in Uzbekistan. Thus, the representatives of the Red Cross gained an access to investigatory isolation ward, the policemen of Uzbekistan are taking a course given by humanitarian organizations.

Translated by Nataliya Shirinskikh