Brussels (dpa) – The European Union on Monday extended sanctions against Uzbekistan because of Tashkent’s continued refusal to meet EU demands to improve its human rights record.
EU foreign ministers agreed to uphold a travel ban on officials from Uzbekistan for six months and a separate arms embargo for another 12 months.
The bloc imposed the measures following the deaths of hundreds of civilians at the hands of the Uzbek authorities in the city of Andijan in 2005.
Stressing that the EU remained «seriously concerned about the human rights situation» in the country, EU foreign ministers urged Uzebkistan «to implement fully its international obligations relating to human rights and fundamental freedoms.»
Tashkent only last week gave in to EU pressure to hold a second round of talks on the Andijan events.
EU foreign ministers underlined that they expected the meeting to produce «concrete results,» adding that the bloc and Uzbekistan must hold «meaningful and regular» talks on human rights.