31 August, 2006
Politics
Uzbek President familiarises with new objects in Tashkent
Uzbek President attends event to commemorate victims of repressions
Kofi Annan congratulates Uzbek leader with Independence Day
Japanese Prime Minister visits Samarkand, wraps up his official visit to Uzbekistan
Uzbekistan and Japan confirm their intention to develop bilateral relations
Uzbekistan, Japan supports inter-regional dialogue
Economics
Uzbekistan, consortium sign Production Sharing Agreement on exploration activities
South Korean ministry says Uzbek gas field may hold 8 trillion cubic feet
JBIC, Uzbekistan sign Memorandum of Understanding on uranium projects
In August 11 textile joint ventures commissioned in Uzbekistan
Society
Generation training centre to hold holiday events for children
POLITICS
UZBEK PRESIDENT FAMILIARISES WITH NEW OBJECTS IN TASHKENT
President of Uzbekistan Islam Karimov familiarised with the newly constructed objects in Tashkent city on 30 August.
Uzbek head visited branch of the Moscow State University named after Lomonosov in Tashkent. The branch of Moscow State University named after Lomonosov opens this year in line with agreement between Uzbekistan and Russia.
The building of the branch was constructed and commissioned on the eve new education year and the Uzbek leader acquainted with it.
The branch, which accepted 80 students this year, will train specialists in two directions - higher mathematics and informatics, and psychology.
The Moscow State University's branch building has more than 30 classrooms, a number of laboratories, computer rooms, information and resource center, sport complex and other departments.
"This branch of the Moscow State University is a demonstration of the allied relations between Uzbekistan and Russia. Russian scientists will come to give lessons. This will serve to development of cooperation within the scientific and academic circles," Uzbek head said.
On the same day, the President of Uzbekistan visited Mustaqillik (Independence) Square to familiarize reconstruction works with 7-store administrative building.
Speaking at the square, the Uzbek leader said the building completes the single monumental ensemble of the square.
President Islam Karimov also acquainted with new fountain, which was built at square to replace old one.
Islam Karimov also visited Business Center, which is located near the square. Novoi Mining and Smelting Combine is building 14-storey building.
Uzbek head said that the building will increase economic potential of Uzbekistan and attract foreign investments to the country.
UZBEK PRESIDENT ATTENDS EVENT TO COMMEMORATE VICTIMS OF REPRESSIONS
On 31 August, the President of Uzbekistan Islam Karimov participated in the event organized in honour of commemoration of the victims of repressions.
The event was held in the memorial complex Shahidlar Hotirasi (Commemoration of victims). Here the President Islam Karimov talked with the representatives of intelligence and journalists.
Esteeming the memory of the victims of repressions strengthens the belief that "there is justice in the world, and it will triumph sooner or later", the Uzbek leader noted.
"The interests of people, the idea of Homeland prosperity are at the heart of our achievements in the years of independence. Every citizen of our country becomes conscientious and active participant of such responsible deed, as strengthening of independence", Islam Karimov said.
He also added that "our people esteeming the memory of ancestors, taking care of peace and prosperity of the country, taking an active part in creation of the Homeland's future, undoubtedly, will achieve the goals. That is, our independence will be eternal!"
31 August has been celebrated in Uzbekistan as the Day of Commemoration of the Victims of Repressions on the initiative of the President Islam Karimov, starting from 2001.
KOFI ANNAN CONGRATULATES UZBEK LEADER WITH INDEPENDENCE DAY
To His Excellency, Mr Islam Abduganiyevich Karimov,
the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan
Your Excellency,
With great pleasure, I am sending you, the government and the people of Uzbekistan my sincerest congratulations on the occasion of Independence Day.
In order to promote peace, development and human dignity in the 21st century, the UN should strive to be a more effective and more responsible organization and be at the service of people. This is the main point no matter whether we are fighting poverty or disease, working to strengthen democracy or fighting terrorism, promoting the rules of law or protecting peace or the global environment. More work should be done if we want to be successful in the creation of a peaceful global community. Since our efforts are common, it is a pleasure to know that the UN can count on continuous obligations and support of the government and the people of Uzbekistan.
Your Excellency, please accept the assurances of my highest respect for you.
Kofi Annan,
the UN Secretary-General
JAPANESE PRIME MINISTER VISITS SAMARKAND, WRAPS UP HIS OFFICIAL VISIT TO UZBEKISTAN
Prime Minister of Japan Junichiro Koizumi, who arrived in Uzbekistan with official visit on Tuesday, visited the city of Samarkand on 30 August.
The Japanese PM viewed historical monuments of the city. He visited the tomb of sahibkiran Amir Temur, Registan square, Bibihanum mosque, Shahi Zinda complex, Ulugbek's observatory.
The official visit of the Prime Minister of Japan Junichiro Koizumi to Uzbekistan has come to the end.
UZBEKISTAN AND JAPAN CONFIRM THEIR INTENTION TO DEVELOP BILATERAL RELATIONS
Uzbekistan and Japan have confirmed the importance of adherence to the principles of democratic development of the society, market economy, and raising the level of population's social and human rights protection to political stability and economic prosperity, a joint statement said.
President of Uzbekistan Islam Karimov and Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi met on Tuesday to hold negotiations in various spheres. The sides adopted joint statement on the results of the talks.
The Uzbek party has expressed its appreciation for Japan's Offical Development Assistance, which has contributed largely to the implementation of the economic and socio-humanitarian projects in Uzbekistan.
The parties showed satisfaction about the cooperation that exists between Uzbekistan and Japan in the framework of the Uzbek-Japanese and Japanese-Uzbek Committees for Economic Cooperation and agreed on the need to develop trade and economic relations.
Both parties expressed hope that the economic missions to be directed from Japan to Uzbekistan in the autumn of this year would serve as an impulse for the development of economic relations between the two countries. They agreed on the need to improve trade and investment climate for the purpose of developing trade and economic relations.
The parties noted the possibility of developing cooperation particularly with participation of private companies by means of the Clean Development Mechanism in accordance with the Kyoto Protocol.
The parties agreed that the development of uranium fields in Uzbekistan and trade in uranium could become a prospective field of cooperation between the two countries and came to the conclusion on the need to stimulate information sharing between the representatives of state and private structures of the two countries in this field.
The Uzbek party expressed its gratitude for the voluntary assistance provided in sending Uzbek students to study in Japan and for the grant issued by the Japanese Fund in the form of Japanese language textbooks and regional geography materials.
The parties emphasized that the development of bilateral relations in protecting peace, stability, and security at the regional and global scale was of principal importance, and expressed readiness to build cooperation in this field both in bilateral format and in the framework of international organisations and mechanisms of multilateral cooperation.
The parties support the efforts of the world community in stabilising the situation in and recovering the economy of Afghanistan and pay special attention to the joint participation in the implementation of international projects.
The statement said that the parties supported the efforts towards strengthening peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula and taking the measures required to give the region the status of a nuclear weapon free zone. The parties expressed hope that the implementation of the UN Resolution of 15 July 2006 and resumption of hexalateral negotiations would lead to the maintenance of peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula and in the North-East Asia, as well as peaceful solution of the North Korea-related nuclear weapon problem and the issues of humanitarian nature.
The parties expressed their intention to continue build cooperation for the soonest implementation of the reforms of the UN Security Council. Thereupon, the Japanese party expressed its appreciation of the unfailing support of Uzbekistan in nominating Japan for the seat of the permanent member of the Security Council.
In terms of the policy of non-distribution of nuclear weapons, Japan expressed support of Uzbekistan's efforts to create a nuclear weapon free zone in Central Asia, and noted the importance of obtaining the support of all countries concerned, including nuclear powers.
The parties agreed on the need to develop the mechanism for conducting consultations between the state officials of the Ministries of Foreign Affairs of the two countries with the aim of conducting complex discussions of bilateral relations and issues of international concern.
The visit of the Prime Minister of Japan Junichiro Koizumi to Uzbekistan and the meetings held were conducted in the atmosphere of friendship and trust and positively contributed to the development of mutually beneficial cooperation between the Republic of Uzbekistan and Japan.
UZBEKISTAN, JAPAN SUPPORTS INTER-REGIONAL DIALOGUE
Heads of Uzbekistan and Japan supported "Central Asia plus Japan" Dialogue initiative and noted necessity to realize action plan, adopted by foreign ministers of the dialogue this June.
Officials of Japanese Foreign Ministry, accompanying Japanese Prime Minister in his tour to Uzbekistan, said on Tuesday Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi said the "Central Asia plus Japan" Dialogue is useful forum and deemed it expedient to realize action plan adopted within the Dialogue.
The Second Foreign Ministers' Meeting, within the framework of the "Central Asia plus Japan" Dialogue, adopted action plan in Tokyo, Japan, on 5 June 2006. The document envisages cooperation in five fields, including political dialogue, intra-regional cooperation, business promotion, intellectual dialogue and cultural and people-to-people exchange.
Japanese Foreign Ministry's official said Uzbek President Islam Karimov, in his turn, also supported the "Central Asia plus Japan" Dialogue. Uzbek head added that Uzbekistan will make all efforts to boost relations between Central Asia and Japan.
ECONOMICS
UZBEKISTAN, CONSORTIUM SIGN PRODUCTION SHARING AGREEMENT ON EXPLORATION ACTIVITIES
On 30 August in Tashkent the Government of the Republic of Uzbekistan and Consortium of Investors have signed the Production Sharing Agreement for exploration activities involving further development of newly discovered hydrocarbon fields in the Uzbek section of the Aral Sea.
The Consortium of Investors includes Uzbekneftegaz, the National Holding Company, LUKOIL Overseas Holding, Petronas Carigali Overseas, CNPC International and Korea National Oil Corporation.
According to the Agreement for the creation of the Consortium, that was signed on 8 September 2005 in Tashkent, the members of the Consortium holds equal interest share in the project.
The contract area is the low-explored territory. To study of the prospective territory and in order to discover the new fields the exploration activities within will be implemented in two stages.
On the first stage during the 3 years 2D regional seismic survey of 2300 km and drilling of 2 exploration wells with the minimum cost of work no less than US$99.8 million will be made within the framework of the minimum program.
The oil and gas operations will be realized by the operator of the project, and the sales of the whole volume of the product – by the marketing company, that will be created by the members of the Consortium as the legal bodies of the Republic of Uzbekistan.
Taking into consideration adverse weather conditions in autumn-winter period (November-March) that is characterized by the occasional heavy winds that lead to the waves on the surface of the water, and the snow covering on the nearby territory that complicates the workflow, all the preparation operations will be completed during this period f time – it includes the selection of contractor for seismic survey including mobilization of the required equipment. Seismic survey will start from April 2007.
According to the result of the first stage of the geological exploration the multi-variant technical and economical verification will be developed – with the further adjustment of the commercial conditions of the PSA also including the minimum program of the second stage works, the level of taxes and duties and other economical parameters.
After the adjustment of the PSA the geological exploration works of the second stage will be opened with the further development of newly discovered oil and gas fields.
SOUTH KOREAN MINISTRY SAYS UZBEK GAS FIELD MAY HOLD 8 TRILLION CUBIC FEET
An Uzbek natural gas field in which South Korea has secured a 20% stake may hold as much as 8 trillion cubic feet (Tcf) of gas, South Korea's energy ministry said on Thursday.
State-run Korea National Oil Corporation (KNOC) signed a US$20 million production-sharing pact with the Uzbek government that could secure for South Korea 36 million tonnes of liquefied natural gas (LNG) equivalent to natural gas, the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Energy said.
It said in a statement the Aral field may hold 8 Tcf, enough to meet South Korea's total demand for nearly seven years, BP statistical data show. It was unclear whether the gas would flow to South Korea, as there are no pipelines linking the two.
The reserves figure is smaller than the 1 billion cubic metres (about 35 Tcf) estimate given in Tashkent a day ago, but companies and countries often account for reserves differently. A final figure will be confirmed only after appraisal drilling.
The actual gas production is expected to start in 2012, after exploratory drilling has been completed, the ministry said.
The Uzbek gas deal was finalised on Wednesday, almost a year after a preliminary pact that included Russia's LUKOIL , Uzbekistan's state oil and gas holding Uzbekneftegaz, Malaysia's state oil firm Petronas and China's CNPC, parent of listed PetroChina .
LUKOIL said on Wednesday that drilling on the field would be delayed until next April, despite initial hopes that exploration would have started last May. The first phase will cost almost US$100 million, it said.
Uzbekneftegaz said the deal covers a period of 35 years and entitles investors to a 50% share in revenues. The five partners all have equal shares in the field.
In March, state-run Korea Gas Corp. (KOGAS) signed three gas development agreements with Uzbekistan. It hopes to sign a production-sharing deal this year.
JBIC, UZBEKISTAN SIGN MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING ON URANIUM PROJECTS
Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC) said on Wednesday that it has signed a memorandum of understanding with the Uzbek government under which Japanese companies will seek a stronger presence in the uranium mining sector of the Central Asian nation.
JBIC will help Japanese companies acquire stakes in uranium projects in Uzbekistan through this MOU, a JBIC spokeswoman said.
So far, Uzbekistan, which contains the world's 10th-largest reserves of uranium, has yet to attract significant investment in its uranium mines, and this offers a good investment opportunity for Japanese companies, the spokeswoman said.
Uzbekistan holds 172,000 metric tonnes of proven uranium reserves, according to Japan's Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry.
Japan uses about 8,000 tonnes of uranium a year for power generation.
Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi visited Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan earlier this week. He held talks with Uzbek President Islam Karimov on Tuesday.
Koizumi and Karimov agreed that Japan and Uzbekistan will cooperate in Uzbekistan's uranium mines, and oil and natural gas fields developments.
IN AUGUST 11 TEXTILE JOINT VENTURES COMMISSIONED IN UZBEKISTAN
Uzbekistan, occupying the sixth place in the world on cotton fibre production, annually stores up averagely 3.5-3.7 million tonnes of raw cotton and produce 1-1.2 million tonnes of cotton-fibre. Meanwhile, the specific weight of the fibre processed in the republic comprises over 25%. Moreover, it is planned to bring this index to 50% by 2008.
Eleven textile joint-ventures with the total cost of US$27.7 million were put into operation in four Regions of Uzbekistan in August, the state joint-stock company Uzbeklegprom [Uzbek light industry] said.
It is expected that while reaching the planned production capacity, the export potential of textile joint ventures will be US$53.3 million per year. The total powers of the commissioned enterprises will make it possible to produce annually 10,200 tonnes of cotton thread, 12,600 tonnes of knitted fabric, 25.4 million pieces of finished knitted and sewn articles, and also 1.12 tonnes of silk threads. Financing projects was achieved due to the own funds of joint enterprises' founders.
It was reported earlier that in the spring of this year seven joint textile enterprises with the total cost of US$50.11 million were put into operation in five Regions of the republic.
In August 11 textile joint ventures commissioned in Uzbekistan.
Uzbekistan, occupying the sixth place in the world on cotton fibre production, annually stores up averagely 3.5-3.7 million tonnes of raw cotton and produce 1-1.2 million tonnes of cotton-fibre. Meanwhile, the specific weight of the fibre processed in the republic comprises over 25%. Moreover, it is planned to bring this index to 50% by 2008.
Eleven textile joint-ventures with the total cost of US$27.7 million were put into operation in four Regions of Uzbekistan in August, the state joint-stock company Uzbeklegprom said.
It is expected that while reaching the planned production capacity, the export potential of textile joint ventures will be US$53.3 million per year. The total powers of the commissioned enterprises will make it possible to produce annually 10,200 tonnes of cotton thread, 12,600 tonnes of knitted fabric, 25.4 million pieces of finished knitted and sewn articles, and also 1.12 tonnes of silk threads. Financing projects was achieved due to the own funds of joint enterprises' founders.
It was reported earlier that in the spring of this year seven joint textile enterprises with the total cost of US$50.11 million were put into operation in five Regions of the republic.
SOCIETY
GENERATION TRAINING CENTRE TO HOLD HOLIDAY EVENTS FOR CHILDREN
On 2 and 3 September, the children's training centre "Generation", whose basic purpose is to harmoniously develop children, invites parents and children to visit holiday events in honor of the commencement of a new academic year.
The centre's specialists promise that children not only will have a lovely time, but they will also find new friends, will try their strength in competitions, will play a little into developing games in the open air, will train imagination in the games of the circle "skilful hands", will recall school lessons in a play form and will gain a mass of vivid impressions.
For little children from 3 to 6 years the programme includes a puppet theater, demonstration of all circles in the form of developing and mobile games, fruit table in fresh air.
For elder children from 6 up to 12 years the performance "How do you do, Autumn" will be presented with the presentation of circles in the form of developing and mobile games. The official inauguration ceremony of the training centre took place in August 2000. At that moment the centre's name was "Uyghunlik" [Coordination]. That time, besides the general education work with children, the centre kept occupied by the problems of disabled children. From December 2005, for the larger effectiveness the charitable centre "Uyghunlik" (solution of disabled children's problems) and the children's training centre "Generation" (comprehensive development of pre-school and school age children) started to operate.
The centre aims to harmoniously develop children, competently prepare them for school, resolve children's problems, overcome children's complexes, bring up children as personalities, train and develop creative beginning in children.