16 August, 2006

Politics
Informal summit of EurAsEC leaders starts in Sochi
Uzbek Senate affirms commission members to cooperate with Russian Federation Council
Uzbek MPs approve documents on joining of Uzbekistan to EurAsEC

Economics
Uzbek-Russian JV to process fruits, vegetables
Uzbek delegation visits Thailand, Malaysia to study Free/Open Source Software
Seminar-training "Bridging the Use-Divide" to be held on 15-18 August in Tashkent
Seminar discusses improvement of knowledge of female farmers

Society
Uzbekistan marks International Youth Day
Uzbek children to receive medical treatment in Germany
Uzbekistan undertakes steps to prevent malaria outbreak in south
Session Addresses Upcoming Uzbek Participation At Asian Games in Qatar
‘Water Nymphs’ To Compete in Tashkent

POLITICS

INFORMAL SUMMIT OF EURASEC LEADERS STARTS IN SOCHI

Presidents of Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyz Republic, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan and Russia gathered to residence of Russian head Bochari Ruchey in Sochi, to participate in informal meeting of the Eurasian Economic Community (EurAsEC) on 15 August.

President of Armenia Robert Kocheryan, Prime Minister of Russia Michael Fradkov and Prime Minister of Ukraine Victor Yanukovich are also participating in the meeting. Armenia has observer status in EurAsEC.

The agenda of the EurAsEC leaders includes the issues of creation of Customs Union, strategy and tactics of EurAsEC development, cooperation in fuel-energy sector, water-energy regulation in Central Asia, cooperation of EurAsEC with the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO), accession of Uzbekistan to CSTO.

Presidents will also discuss cooperation of the organization with World Trade Organization (WTO) and accession of EurAsEC member-states to WTO.

The EurAsEC includes Belarus, Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan. The EurAsEC creation treaty was signed in Astana, Kazakhstan, on 10 October 2000. Uzbekistan officially joined to the organisation on 25 January, 2006 in Saint Petersburg.

The organization aims at promoting the creation of the common customs and economic space in the CIS. The coordination of WTO accession efforts of the member countries is another priority of EurAsEC.

UZBEK SENATE AFFIRMS COMMISSION MEMBERS TO COOPERATE WITH RUSSIAN FEDERATION COUNCIL

The Senate of Oliy Majlis of Uzbekistan approved members of the commission for cooperation with the Federation Council of the Russian Federation, the press- service of the Senate of Uzbekistan has reported.

"In accordance with Article 5 of the Agreements on cooperation between the Senate and the Russia Federation Council, signed on 10 April 2006, the Kengash (Council) of the Senate approved the Uzbek part's members of the commission for cooperation to organize and coordinate interaction of the parties", the press- service said. The commission comprises deputy chairman of the committee on legislation and judicial-legal issues, the rector of the Tashkent State Law institute, Mirzayusup Rustambayev, a member of committee on defense and security, the chairman of the administration of state joint-stock company Tashkent Aviation Production Association named after V. Chkalov, Vadim Kucherov, a member of the committee for foreign policy, the chairman Karakalpakstan Department of the Academy of Sciences of Uzbekistan, Nagmet Ayimbetov, and a member of the committee on science, education, culture and sport, Hamrotosh Shodiyeva.

The press-service noted that organization and coordination of interaction between the upper chambers of both countries will be the basic tasks of the commission, including the exchange of parliamentarian delegations for studying the experience of parliamentary activity, including practice of development and adoption of legislative acts. "The commission's work will be also aimed at maintaining constant dialogue between the chambers, searching for promising trends of cooperation", the press- service emphasized.

Furthermore, the Senate of Uzbekistan confirmed the candidature of Gafur Aliyev to the post of the head of the commission of the interparliamentary assembly of the Eurasian Economic Community [EurAsEC] on agro-industrial policy, the use of natural resources and ecology.

A decision on the chairmanship of Uzbekistan in this commission was adopted on 26 May this year in Minsk at the seventh plenary the meeting of the EurAsEC interparliamentary assembly. Gafur Aliyev heads the committee on agrarian, water management issues and ecology in the Senate of Uzbekistan. He is a member of the parliamentary delegation of the republic in the EurAsEC interparliamentary assembly.

UZBEK MPS APPROVE DOCUMENTS ON JOINING OF UZBEKISTAN TO EURASEC

At the first session of the Legislative Chamber (lower house) of Oliy Majlis [parliament] of Uzbekistan, after parliamentary vacations, deputies considered and approved a package of documents in connection with joining of Uzbekistan to the Eurasian Economic Community.

The press service of the Uzbek parliament's lower house said that deputies considered and approved the draft Law "On joining of the Republic of Uzbekistan to the Convention on privileges and immunities of the Eurasian Economic Community, signed in Minsk on 31 May 2001".

Then MPs discussed bills on joining of Uzbekistan to the "Agreement on Customs Union and Single Economic Zone, signed in Moscow in February 1999", and the "Agreement on cooperation and protection of external borders of EurAsEC member states dated 21 February 2003".

ECONOMICS

UZBEK-RUSSIAN JV TO PROCESS FRUITS, VEGETABLES

Uchkuprik-Ros, an Uzbek-Russian joint venture, delivered its first products to consumers.

The report said the venture, located in Uchkuprik district of Ferghana region, will process 250 tonnes of fruits and vegetables a year and the main part of products will be exported. Azizhon Ahrorov, director-general of the venture, said the company introduced technology on production of fruit juices and expressed his assurance new products will be highly demanded among consumers.

UZBEK DELEGATION VISITS THAILAND, MALAYSIA TO STUDY FREE/OPEN SOURCE SOFTWARE

During 18-26 July 2006 ICTP (ICT Policy) project organized a study tour of government officials on FOSS (Free/Open Source Software) experience in Asia-Pacific countries (Thailand and Malaysia) as part of a continued commitment to the promotion of FOSS in Uzbekistan including the recently published Research paper on "Prospective use of free and open source software for development of Uzbekistan".

The overall objective of the study tour was to learn from FOSS experience of Asia-Pacific countries so to apply them in future activities in Uzbekistan, ICTP said in its web site.

The study tour was organized in close cooperation with The International Open Source Network (IOSN) based in Bangkok, Thailand. The IOSN is tasked specifically to facilitate and network FOSS advocates and human resources in the region. The vision is that developing countries in the Asia-Pacific Region can achieve rapid and sustained economic and social development by using affordable yet effective FOSS ICT solutions to bridge the digital divide.

The tour allowed to collect ideas for further development of FOSS Resource Center in Uzbekistan were collected with the purpose to create a centralized repository of knowledge that will increase the awareness and adoption of open source technology in Uzbekistan; network of contacts with people working in this area in Asia-Pacific region was established and potential areas of further cooperation in the field were explored; potential international contributors for National Summit on ICT to be held in September in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, were identified and invited.

FOSS Study tour enabled to launch direct contacts with regional experts in open source software field, in particular, and in ICT field, in general, and to get acquainted with the current status and challenges of open source industry in Thailand and Malaysia. Although it's was noted that every country has to work out its own model of open source introduction within government agencies, the extensive experience of Asia-Pacific countries can be used to avoid possible risks and challenges.

SEMINAR-TRAINING "BRIDGING THE USE-DIVIDE" IN TASHKENT

A seminar-training "Bridging the Use-Divide" (reduction of break in the application of digital technologies) designated for managers and specialists of small, private and large enterprises and companies will be held in the conference hall of the hotel Poytakht on 15-18 August.

Its organizers are the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of the Republic of Uzbekistan, the international trade centre YUNKTAD/VTO and the association of business- incubators and technological parks. This measure is being taken as a part of the program "E-trade Bridge".

As a part of the seminar, international experts for the first time will implement intensive training program "Enterprise Management Development" employing the special procedure of the international commercial centre with the delivery of international standard certificates.

"Enterprise Management Development" (EMD) - is an intensive four-day program, which includes the courses of instruction on the improvement of enterprise management, an increase in the ability to develop export, the creation of electronic ability, the formation of competitive enterprise, the system of business management and the tools of its development, and also on the application of the digital technologies and solutions. The seminar-training will be carried out in English.

SEMINAR DISCUSSES IMPROVEMENT OF KNOWLEDGE OF FEMALE FARMERS

Uzbek Liberal Democratic Party (UzLiDep) and Uzbek Farmers' Association hosted seminars on improvement of socio-political, economic and legal knowledge of women in Namangan, Ferghana and Andijan regions.

The participants discussed achievements and problems of female farmer. The seminar proposed to solve these problems via improvement socio-political, economic and legal knowledge of women.

It was noted that the problems include weak knowledge of banking system, low computer literacy and weak use of insurance system.

Uzbekistan has over 186,000 farm entities now and some 9,000 of them led by women. In particular, 828 farms are led by women in Namangan region, 642 in Andijan region and 658 in Ferghana region. Farms use some 4.2 million hectare of land now.

SOCIETY

UZBEKISTAN MARKS INTERNATIONAL YOUTH DAY

Uzbekistan marked International Youth Day, celebrated on 12 August, for the first time this year. The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) said in its release that the UNDP office in Uzbekistan initiated celebration in the country.

The release said some 70 people gathered to Hotel Shodlik Palace, which hosted celebration of International Youth Day.

International Youth Day is an opportunity for Governments and others to draw attention to youth issues worldwide. Around the world people organize concerts, workshops, cultural events, fund-raisers, rallies and meetings that involve national and local government officials, youth organizations and young people. International Youth day is on August 12 each year. It was designated by the United Nations in 1999 by the adoption of resolution 54/120.

UNFPA invited youth, which actively participate in the activity of the fund in Uzbekistan, including volunteers of local projects.

The press release said the ceremony presented history and celebrations of International Youth Day worldwide and various contest were organized within it.

UZBEK CHILDREN TO RECEIVE MEDICAL TREATMENT IN GERMANY

Children who cannot be medically treated in Uzbekistan have left for Germany. The airplane with children onboard left Tashkent Airport on 16 August. Friedensdorf International (Peace Village International), Oberhausen/Dinslaken-based aid organisation, has close ties with several European hospitals that have agreed to provide treatment to children free of charge.

Soglom Avlod Uchun (For the Healthy Generation) Foundation together with the Ministry of Healthcare examined and selected children from across Uzbekistan. The majority of these children are from needy families.

Since 1967, Friedensdorf International is helping the most innocent victims of wars and crises - the children. In order to provide medical treatment, the aid organisation brings severely ill children who do not have any chance of being cured in their home countries to Germany at short notice. Uzbekistan is among the countries with which Friedensdorf Internationa cooperates.

In July 2002, a trilateral agreement was signed between the Ministry of Healthcare of Uzbekistan, Soglom Avlod Uchun Foundation and Friedensdorf International Organisation on the implementation of a joint programme for the treatment of children from Uzbekistan in the clinics of Europe.

Besides, based on the grant issued by the international organisation for the children with facial defects to undergo surgeries in Uzbekistan, 180 children have been operated on in Tashkent Medical Academy, Alisher Tibbiyot Private Clinic, clinics of the central hospitals of Ferghana, Bukhara, Khorezm, Kashkadarya and Surkhandarya regions. The activity of Soglom Avlod Uchun is aimed at supporting the health of the young generation, protecting maternity and infancy, creating favourable conditions for the physical and mental development of children.

UZBEKISTAN UNDERTAKES STEPS TO PREVENT MALARIA OUTBREAK IN SOUTH

Uzbekistan is undertaking steps to prevent penetration of malaria to southern regions of Uzbekistan, bordered with Afghanistan and Tajikistan.

The report of Press-uz.info said two brigades of health specialists, formed at the assistance of Global Fund to fight AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria, are visiting southern Uzbek regions. It added that the danger of malaria outbreak in neighboring countries increased for last two year.

Specialists are undertaking preventive measures, including carrying out explanation work among population on symptoms of disease, distribute anti-mosquito means to population, as well as disinfection means.

According to Global Fund, Tajikistan registered some 4,000 cases of malaria. The most of cases were recorded in southern regions of the country, which bordered with Afghanistan. Specialists predict that the outbreak of malaria can be 10 times higher in Afghanistan.

SESSION ADDRESSES UPCOMING UZBEK PARTICIPATION AT ASIAN GAMES IN QATAR

Session o¬n the forthcoming 15th Asian Games in Doha (Qatar) due in December this year and 2008 Olympics in Beijing took place recently at the National Olympic Committee of Uzbekistan, Uzbekistan National News Agency website reported.

All representatives of higher sporting schools, various federations, as well as head coaches of Uzbekistan national team and other specialists have participated at the session led by Uzbekistan National Olympic Committee president, Minister of Culture and Sports Rustam Kurbanov, the website also reported o¬n the authority of “Narodnoye slovo” newspaper.

Execution of the sports events agenda for over the past half-year of 2006 and designing the plan for the next year, analysis of work of the federation for 2004-2005, as well as the increase of Uzbek representatives at the international, and particularly, at the Asian sports federations were at the core of attention of the session participants.

Indisputably, the most serious attention has been paid to training of Uzbek sportsmen before the Asian Games in Qatar due to take place in Doha from December 1 to December 15 this year. At the 14th Pusang Asian Games in South Korea the national team of Uzbekistan won 15 gold, 12 silver and 24 bronze medals. And it has secured a fifth place in the overall team result.

‘WATER NYMPHS’ TO COMPETE IN TASHKENT

Seventh International Tournament and open Uzbekistan Cup o¬n synchronized swimming “Suv parisi” (‘the water nymph’) are now being held at o¬ne of the best sports complexes in Tashkent - “Uzbekiston”, “Narodnoye Slovo” newspaper reported August 16.

Women’s Committee, Ministry of Culture and Sports, Children Sports Development Fund and Uzbekistan Synchronized Swimming Federation organized the said event, according to the paper.

Mivako Homma, Asian Synchronized Swimming Association chairwoman, International Water Sports Federation technical committee member, welcomed the participants of the sports festival.

“At the moment, Uzbekistan occupies top positions in Asia o¬n synchronized swimming,” – Ms. Homma said, while speaking at the event, “these competitions, organized at the highest level, say about enormous potential of Uzbek sportswomen in this field”.

Thus, the international contest has started, the newspaper further indicated. Nevertheless some of the participants are done with their part of the program, the report also said.

Yet before the announcement o¬n official start of the contest has been made the swimmers demonstrated their skills o¬n accomplishing the must-to-do part of the overall program. Next comes the free program, in line with the report.

Deputy Prime Minister of the Republic of Uzbekistan, Women’s Committee chairwoman Svetlana Inamova is reported to have participated at the opening of the event, according to “Narodnoye slovo”.