13 June, 2006

Politics
Uzbek President receives CSTO Secretary-General
Uzbek President says cooperation with China strengthened
Uzbek, Chinese leader to meet in China this week
SCO to join international efforts to build anti-drug belt around Afghanistan
Senate of Uzbekistan adopts copyright law
Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan and Tajikistan fight together against terrorism

Business
Uzbekistan grows hydrocarbon resources 95 mln tons oil equivalent in 2005
Uzbekistan, China ink oil and gas prospecting deal
UZDUNROBITA to render services under MTS brand

Society
Aqua park opens in Ferghana
Israeli travellers along the Great Silk Road

More information about the Republic of Uzbekistan you could find from the Internet site: www.uzbekistan.be

UZBEK PRESIDENT RECEIVES CSTO SECRETARY-GENERAL

President of Uzbekistan Islam Karimov received Secretary-General of the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) Nikolai Bordyuja at presidential residence Oqsaroy on Monday, 12 June.

The sides discussed issues on perspectives of cooperation of Uzbekistan with CSTO and the role of the organization in geo-politics, outcoming from events in the region and the world.

Uzbek President Islam Karimov said at the meeting: "In the eve of our meeting at the EurAsEC summit, we today should consider and discuss current issues, which will be considered at the upcoming summit."

President Karimov said it was important that Birdyuzha made a lot of work and met all heads of CSTO member states.

At the meeting at the Oqsaroy, it was noted Uzbekistan cooperates with many international organizations on fight against terrorism, religious extremism, drug trafficking and transnational organized crime. (UzReport.com)

UZBEK PRESIDENT SAYS COOPERATION WITH CHINA STRENGTHENED

The cooperation in all fields between Uzbekistan and China has been strengthened in recent years, which will help boost bilateral mutual trust and further cooperation, said Uzbek President Islam Karimov in a recent interview with major Chinese media.

Karimov said he was satisfied with the continued strengthening of bilateral contacts at all levels.

The agreement on the partnership of friendly cooperation between China and Uzbekistan signed last year is a milestone in the history of bilateral relations, he said, believing it would create favourable conditions for the ties' future development.

Uzbekistan, bearing the brunt of terrorism, separatism and religious extremism, shares same views with China on safeguarding regional security and stability, said the president.

The economic cooperation between the two countries has witnessed a rapid development in recent years, he added.

The potential for cooperation in economy, trade and financial investment is great, and it should be the common task of the two countries to expand and deepen cooperation in these areas, said Karimov.

He also stressed it was necessary for both countries to exchange information for better cooperation in such fields as science and technology, education, culture and tourism.

He expressed his belief that information exchanges and respect for each other's culture and history would help strengthen the mutual trust between the two peoples and consolidate the social basis of their partnership.

The president was interviewed ahead of the summit of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) scheduled for 15 June in Shanghai, China.

The SCO, founded in 2001, groups China, Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan. The organization has accepted Mongolia, Iran, Pakistan and India as observers. (Xinhua - New China News Agency)

UZBEK, CHINESE LEADER TO MEET IN CHINA THIS WEEK

Participation of Uzbek President Islam Karimov in the summit of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) will boost ties between Uzbekistan and China, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Uzbekistan to China Nosir Yusupov said in an interview to Chinese newspaper People's Daily.

Summit of the SCO heads of states will take place in Shanhgai, China, on 15 June with participation of presidents of member states. SCO, founded in 2001, unites China, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyz Republic, Tajikistan, Russia and Uzbekistan.

Upcoming summit

Uzbek ambassador said Uzbekistan pays great attention to upcoming summit of the SCO and added the Uzbek head will meet his Chinese counterpart Hu Jintao to discuss important issues of Uzbek-Chinese relations, adopt decisions on key projects of mutual beneficial cooperation, as well as exchange opinions on regional and international problems of mutual interest.

Yusupov said the meeting of high level always play important role in promotion of bilateral cooperation in key directions. He added the forthcoming bilateral meeting will ensure further deepening of political dialogue and strengthening of trust, as well as new agreements on development of trade-economic and humanitarian cooperation will be achieved.

Bilateral relations

Uzbek envoy noted gradual development of collaboration between Uzbekistan and China in all directions. He said Uzbekistan pays special attention to development of economic relations with China. Yusupov said the sides achieved success in economic interaction, but there is also unrealized potential.

Uzbek diplomat noted that the Uzbek-Chinese trade turnover increased by 18.3% year-on-year to US$680.6 million in 2005 and by 146% year-on-year to US$309 million in January-March 2006. He said direct supply of cotton, non-ferrous metal and other high-liquid products to China will boost trade turnover.

Yusupov said the cooperation in financial-credit sector is also developing successfully. Total volume of allocated credits and grants of Chinese side made up US$430 million, he added.

Uzbekistan welcomes Chinese companies to participate in privatization programmes in the country, direct investments in energy, processing of raw materials and agriculture products, creation of new technologic production, he said. Yusupov said the sides should develop direct contacts among regions and enterprises of two states.

Expectations from SCO summit

Praising achievements of SCO, which marks its fifth anniversary this year, Uzbek diplomat said Uzbekistan expects new decisions on further development of multilateral collaboration, which will allow strengthen achievements and increase efficiency of the organization. He hoped the member countries would adopt important decisions on development of cooperation. (UzReport.com)

SCO TO JOIN INTERNATIONAL EFFORTS TO BUILD ANTI-DRUG BELT AROUND AFGHANISTAN

The Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) will join international efforts to build an anti-drug belt around Afghanistan to combat drug smuggling, said a senior Chinese diplomat in Beijing.

Chinese Assistant Foreign Minister Li Hui made the remarks at a press briefing for the upcoming SCO summit slated for 15 June in Shanghai. "Afghanistan is a major source of drugs," Li said, adding SCO member states are major victims of drug crimes.

"SCO is willing to actively join international efforts to build an anti-drug belt around Afghanistan, and conduct anti-drug cooperation with the country under the framework of SCO-Afghanistan liason group," he said.

Li said drug crimes not only threaten regional peace and stability but also serve as a major source of money for terrorism and extremism activities.

Established in 2001, the SCO groups China, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan. Since 2004, the organization has accepted Mongolia, Iran, Pakistan and India as observers.

Heads of states of the six SCO member countries as well as the observers will attend the upcoming summit. They are expected to issue a declaration to summarize SCO's work in the past year and blueprint its task for the coming year.

Chinese President Hu Jintao will preside over the summit and deliver a key-note speech on China's policies towards SCO and its suggestion on the body's development.

Afghan President Hamid Karzai, Executive Secretary Vladimir Rushailo of the Commonwealth of Independent States and Deputy Secretary-General Wilfrido. V. Villacorta of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations will attend the summit as guests.

A conference marking the founding of SCO businessmen commission and an industrial and commercial summit will also be held on the sidelines of the event.

Li said China has arranged for activities for Iranian President Mahmud Ahmadinejad according to SCO regulations and international convention.

"President Ahmadinejad will deliver a speech at the summit as other heads of states do," he said.

In line with the organization's regulations, SCO Secretary-General Zhang Deguang will end his three-year tenure at the end of 2006.

"Next secretary-general will come out of Kazakhstan according to the Russian alphabetical order," Li said.

He also refuted criticism on SCO's lack of "transparency", saying the body's activities are "open to the world" and its conferences are "open for reporters".

Altogether 720 journalists have applied to report the summit, according to Li. (UzReport.com)

SENATE OF UZBEKISTAN ADOPTS COPYRIGHT LAW

Senate of Oliy Majlis of Uzbekistan (upper house of Uzbek parliament) adopted a law "On copyright and allied rights" on Friday.

The new law was developed in accordance with requirenments and standards of Agreement on trade aspects of intellectual property, which is part of WTO agreement.

The law aimed at bringing up it in accordance with Bern convention on protection of literature and art products and other international standards in this sphere.

Press service of Uzbek Senate said the law is important to speed up integration process of Uzbekistan to international community in protection of copyrights and intellectual property. (UzReport.com)

KYRGYZSTAN, UZBEKISTAN AND TAJIKISTAN FIGHT TOGETHER AGAINST TERRORISM

The special forces of Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan and Tajikistan have announced the search of persons suspected of membership in the armed group that illegally entered the territory of Batkent region of the south of Kyrgyzstan on 12 May 2006.

As a result of the operation on elimination of the armed group that entered Kyrgyzstan from the territory of Tajikistan, five Kyrgyz officers died. Kalashnikov machine guns, sniper rifle, several kilograms of aluminum powder and communication technology were seized during the operation.

"For the criminal acts, outlined in the Article 97 (murder) and Article 226 (terrorism), five people, citizens of Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan and Tajikistan are being searched," Kyrgyz media quoted Internal Affairs Department of Batkent region.

The people being searched for the events of 12 May are also being searched by the law enforcement agencies of these countries for other grave crimes, including murder and armed attacks. (UzReport.com)

ECONOMICS

UZBEKISTAN GROWS HYDROCARBON RESOURCES 95 MLN TONS OIL EQUIVALENT IN 2005

Uzbekistan's hydrocarbon resources grew by 95.41 million tons oil equivalent (toe) in 2005, the national oil and gas producer Uzbekneftegaz said in a report for foreign investors.

The country discovered one new oil and gas field, Feruza, and two gas condensate fields, Kaltakyr and Shimoly Darbaza, in 2005, drilling 150,406 meters of wells. Uzbekistan started exploratory drilling at 17 new sites and finished drilling 52 wells at an overall cost of 137.671 billion sum.

Uzbekistan plans growth of 89.5 million toe in 2006, and to drill 160,000 meters of exploration wells at 16 sites, completing the construction of 47 wells at a cost of 246.96 million sum. Hydrocarbon resource growth of 1.15 billion toe is targeted for the period 2005-2020, including 1,015 billion cubic meters (bcm) gas, 69.8 million tons oil and 65.7 million tons condensate. (Asia Pulse Limited).

UZBEKISTAN, CHINA INK OIL AND GAS PROSPECTING DEAL

Uzbekneftegaz, an Uzbek national holding, and Chinese oil and gas corporation CNODC have signed an agreement on joint prospecting and exploration of oil and gas deposits in the Central Asian republic, a holding's official said Monday.

Shavkat Madzhitov, first deputy head of Uzbekneftegaz, said the Chinese company would conduct prospecting of five oil and gas fields, drilling 15 prospecting and 12 evaluation wells in various regions of Uzbekistan.

The total volume of investment in the projects is estimated at $208.5 million during five years. (RIA Novosti)

UZDUNROBITA TO RENDER SERVICES UNDER MTS BRAND

Uzdunrobita, No. 1 Uzbek mobile operator, will start to render its service under MTS (Mobile TeleSystems) brand starting from 15 June 2006, a senior manager of the company said in an interview.

Tohir Irgaziev, director on marketing of Uzdunrobita, said MTS now would render single standards on quality of communication and services under the single brand in all territory where MTS operates.

Mobile TeleSystems (MTS) is the largest mobile phone operator in Russia and the CIS, operating exclusively in GSM standard. Together with its subsidiaries, the company provides its services to over 61 million customers, in a license footprint area covering a population of 233.1 million in 86 out of 88 regions in Russia and the entire territories of Ukraine, Belarus, Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan.

MTS acquired 74% stake in Uzdunrobita for US$121 million in 2004 and signed option to buy remaining 26% for US$37.7 million. Uzdunrobita, founded in 1991, has licenses to provide mobile services in GSM and AMPS/DAMPS standards in Uzbekistan. Both licenses are valid until 2016. As of 1 June 2006, the company has over 770,000 users.

MTS introduced new brand on 10 May. "The chosen visual for the portal brand – a simple and eternal symbol in the shape of an egg – defines the essence of modern technologies: external simplicity that hides the striking complexity of what is inside," highlighted MTS' acting President and CEO, Leonid Melamed.

"This portal brand will provide MTS subscribers with access to new hi-tech quality services that were previously impossible, including a single access point to the Internet, to mobile and fixed-line phones, single billing, and a single interface for managing one's services. In other words, the user will gain access to a single information space that he will be able to shape according to his own unique needs. The launch of the portal brand will allow the Sistema Telecom group of companies, including MTS, to best meet the high demands of the modern day user's mobile services requirements," he said.

The renewed MTS brand symbolizes leadership and a dynamic and innovative approach to business. The external change – new logo, corporate style and sales offices look – is a reflection of the large-scale internal changes that are taking place in the Company in response to the shift from a technological business development model to the one more oriented towards the client, said Irgaziev in his interview.

Irgizaev said the company plans to increase number of subscribers from 580,000 in the beginning of 2006 to 1 million to the beginning of 2007. He said the company is installing new stations in rural areas and plans to increase number of stations to 1,000 by the beginning of 2007.

He said that within re-branding process in Uzbekistan, the company will not only change signboards, but also it will lift its services to new level. He said the company plans to launch new national call-centre soon. The call-centre will be located in Tashkent and process all calls of users from regions and assist to solve problems.

Irgizaev said the company plans to keep its leadership in the country and create necessary environments to transfer to 3G. (UzReport.com)

SOCIETY

AQUA PARK OPENS IN FERGHANA

A new small town in Ferghana with a warm name "Bolajon" (Child) attracts the attention with the bright unusual gates, and an attractive front.

The park is located on the right bank of Margilan-say, and is surrounded by a circle of green plantations. The national press said that the place had earlier been a neglected area. Two years ago, the regional khokimiat decided to build swimming pools and water adventures, which is much needed in the hot climate of the region. The initiative was supported by the regional "Mahalla" (local community) Foundation.

The total cost of the project is estimated at 490 million soums. The project was also supported by the regional branch of Uzpromstroybank. The bank issued a loan in the amount of 186 million soums. This money was used to import equipment. Substantial financial support was also provided by Azot and Quartz Companies, Mechanical Plant, Regional Markets Association, and Matlubotsavdo Company.

The new aqua park occupies the space of 3.7 hectares, and has four swimming pools. This is a complex engineering structure, developed based on the latest techniques. Wonderful sand beaches, playgrounds for pre-school children, dressing rooms and shower stalls, volleyball, basketball, and football fields, tennis court – all built in accordance with the European standards. There is also a special block for children with disabilities. There is no entrance fee for orphans, and children from needy families. (UzReport.com)

ISRAELI TRAVELLERS ALONG THE GREAT SILK ROAD

Soft beauty of sparsely desert, severity of mountain ranges, ancient towns and modern cities – what can unite such different places? All of them can be met along the Great Silk Road. Thousand years ago caravans of camels made their long way from Europe, Middle East, through Central Asia to China. Today four motorcyclists from Israel decided to ride along ancient routs.

Eram Spitzer – industrial designer, Oderd Shani – ranger, Avi Feldman – artist blacksmith and Yotam Morag – mechanic rode through Cyprus, Turkey, Georgia, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan and, in the beginning of June they came to Uzbekistan. Through the plateau Uystiyrt they got to ancient Khiva, then to Bukhara, Samarqand and Tashkent. From here they will continue to Kazakhstan, China, Mongolia, Russia, Ukraine, Bulgaria and Greece. They plan to make the trip for about 3 months.

When a standard in such cases question was asked – about your impressions on Uzbekistan, Oded Shani answered immediately: "People of Uzbekistan astonished me above all. People, who are always ready to give a hand to strangers, very friendly and hospitable, and of course Uzbek magnificent ancient cities which, like in fairytales, arise in the sands".

Israeli tourists are frequent guests in Uzbekistan; many of them come here to see real incarnation of the miracles from the Book of One Thousand and One Nights, others come to meet their friends and relatives, Israeli Embassy in Tashkent said in its release. (UzReport.com)