AKIPRESS.COM - Ambassador Terhi Hakala, EU Special Representative for Central Asia, is paying an official visit to Uzbekistan from 20 to 26 August.

Ambassador Hakala is scheduled to meet with Deputy Prime Minister Sardor Umurzakov, Deputy Prime Minister Aziz Abdukhakimov and Minister of Foreign Affairs Abdulaziz Kamilov. Ambassador Hakala will also meet the Speaker of the Senate, Tanzila Narbaeva, and the First Deputy Speaker of the Legislative Chamber of the Oliy Majlis Akmal Saidov. Other meetings are foreseen with local diplomatic representations and international organisations.

In relations to the latest events in Afghanistan, Ambassador Hakala went to Termez on 21-23 August to get acquainted with the situation at the border. She there met with the Hokim of Sukhandarya region, Tura Bobolov and visited the Center for training Afghan citizens as well as the International logistics center "Termiz Cargo Center".

Ambassador Hakala also met with the Director of "Barkaror Hayot” and get familiarized with the work of the NGO on women and children repatriated from conflict zones.

The visit reflects continuous interest of the European Union to further develop the positive relations with the Republic of Uzbekistan and to maintain a fruitful and open dialogue in all spheres of cooperation between the European Union and Uzbekistan.

Ambassador Terhi Hakala was appointed EU Special Representative for Central Asia as of 1st July. She previously hold several high ranking positions in the Finish Ministry of Foreign Affairs.