AKIPRESS.COM - The office of NATO for cooperation with Central Asian countries operating in Tashkent was closed on April 1 due to a change in the structure of the alliance's contacts in the region, reports RIA Novosti.

The decision to close the office in Tashkent was taken in 2016. The NATO Liaison Officer in Central Asia Rosaria Puglisi in November 2016 told reporters that the closure of the office is a result of an internal consideration of the budget.

"This decision is the result of internal budget considerations and doesn't have any political character," she said. "There has been no pressure from Uzbekistan or from other states working with our office. On the contrary, we've always had a warm reception in the region."

The NATO liaison in Tashkent was opened in May 2014. A NATO liaison and interaction officer with Central Asian countries served as the diplomatic representative of the alliance and facilitated practical interaction with partners in the region in various directions.